The city on Saturday saw a series of protests by political parties and Dalit organisations following the suicide of MBBS aspirant S. Anitha of Ariyalur on Friday. The protesters unanimously demanded exemption from NEET, poor score of which allegedly prompted the girl to end life.
In the morning, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK)-led protesters burnt Prime Minister Narendra Modi in effigy at Gandhipuram opposing NEET. Members of VCK, Tanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, Dravidar Kazhagam and Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam attempted rail blockade, which was prevented by the police.
As many as 27 members of Dravidar Manavar Kazhagam who entered the platform shouting slogans and holding placards were detained and removed by the police. TPDK members later staged a protest in front of the BJP office in the city.
Meanwhile, the police cordoned off VOC Grounds and stepped up surveillance in other places where protesters were likely to gather.
A section of advocates under People’s Union of Civil Liberties took out a march outside the Coimbatore court premises opposing NEET. Some of the protesters blindfolded themselves with black ribbon.
They blamed Central and State Governments for the suicide of Anitha. Similarly, Makkal Athigaram staged a demonstration in front of South Taluk office against NEET.
In Pollachi, Makkal Viduthalai Munnai staged a protest near office of the Sub-Collector naming the State and Central Governments responsible for the death of Anitha. More than 20 cadres were detained and removed.
In Erode district, various outfits staged protests and also demanded scrapping of the entrance exam in the coming years.
Members of Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam raised slogans against the entrance exam and blamed politicians for the loss of life. They said that students’ lives are in jeopardy due to the exam and demanded total exemption from NEET.
They also raised slogans against the Central government and wanted it to take responsibility for the death of the girl.
When they attempted to burn the Prime Minister in effigy near Bull Fight Statue Junction (Kalaimadu Silai), police personnel prevented them and took the effigy in their custody.
A total of 25 protesters were taken in vehicles and released in the evening.
Likewise, protests were held at five places in the district in which the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam cadres also took part.
Even as the police strengthened the security arrangements to maintain law and order across Salem district, political parties and other organisations organised various agitations to condemn both the Central and the State Governments for the tragic death of Anitha. They demanded permanent withdrawal of the NEET.
The police arrested 227 persons belonging to Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), and Students Federation of India (SFI), All India Youth Federation (AIYF) etc for organising road roko agitations in the city and in the rural town of Omalur.
The members of the DYFI and SFI staged road roko in front of the Suramangalam head post office, raising slogans against the governments.
The police arrested 31 persons, including N. Praveenkumar, district secretary of the DYFI.
The cadre of the VCK, with their necks tied to ropes, staged road roko on the Periyar flyover. G. Jayachandran, district secretary, led the agitation and the police arrested 56 cadre.
The police also rounded up 30 members of AIYF when they attempted to picket buses in front of the Collectorate. The cadre of the Tamizhaga Vaazhvurimai Katchi also staged demonstration in front of the Collectorate.
The Omalur police picked up 97 cadre of the VCK, when they attempted to picket buses at Omalur bus stand. The VCK cadre also staged demonstration in Sankagiri.
Police pickets were posted in various parts of Salem city since Friday evening. The police closely monitored the situation near the central government offices and installations.
In Namakkal , the cadre of the CPI (M) staged demonstrations at Elachipalayam and Tiruchengode towns.
The members of the DYFI staged a demonstration near the bus stand in Pallipalayam town.
Government doctors and post-graduate medical students conducted an awareness meeting in front of the Government Headquarters Hospital here. Students of the Government Nursing College also participated in the meeting.
