Ernakulam Maharaja’s College authorities have denied allegations of financial irregularities in the issuance of identity cards to the students in the academic year 2013-14.
An official release issued by the Principal termed a media report that referred to corruption in the issue of identity cards as baseless and ill-motivated.
He said Rs. 49,300 collected from about 1,000 students towards providing identity cards were deposited in the PTA account. The cards were also issued to the students.
Faculty members affiliated to the Association of Kerala Govt. College Teachers staged a march against the alleged attempts to defame PTA secretary Prof. N. Remakantan over the identity card issue. A release issued by the association district president accused the Kerala Students Union (KSU) of trying to tarnish the image of the teachers by spreading false allegations.
March turns violentStaff Reporter adds:
A march taken out to Maharaja’s College by activists of the Kerala Students Union in protest against the alleged malpractice in issuing identity cards at the college ended in violence.
The police had to use water cannon to disperse the march in front of the college on Wednesday afternoon. A police officer and three KSU activists were injured in the skirmish. The activists held the protest march alleging that a teacher at the college had diverted funds of the Parent Teacher Association in the name of issuing identity cards to students. The protesters demanded that the teacher be dismissed.
The march began from the government guest house. The police had barricaded the entrance to the college. When the protesters tried to push the barricades and enter the college campus, the police used water cannon on them. Assistant Sub-Inspector Kuriakose P.J., KSU activists Jino John, Anas, and Basil Mon were admitted to various hospitals with injuries. The police have also registered a case against those who threw stones at the police.
