The death of Anitha triggered outrage among political parties, student community and other organisations who resorted to protests across the central region on Saturday holding the Centre and the State government responsible for the suicide and demanding withdrawal of NEET.
The day was marked by hunger fast by students besides demonstrations, road blockades and burning of effigies of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister in a few places in the region.
In Tiruchi, a group of college students including some from the K. A. P. Viswanatham Government Medical College observed fast in front of the college demanding formation of an investigation team to probe Anitha’s suicide and withdrawal of NEET.
In another incident, a group of students of a private college near Tiruchi resorted to a road blockade on the Tiruchi – Chennai national highway on the city’s outskirts on Saturday leading to traffic hold up for some time. Members of Dravidar Viduthalai Kazhagam and Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam staged a demonstration in Tiruchi.
Effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami were set afire by Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi cadre at Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district, while members of the Naam Tamizhar Katchi burnt photographs of Puthiya Tamizhagam leader K. Krishnasamy and BJP leader H. Raja at Thanjavur. Protest was also held by the All India Democratic Women’s Association.
In Perambalur district, VCK cadre staged road roko at Veppur and Thirumandurai, while a silent procession was taken out by a group of people in Perambalur town condoling the death of Anitha.
Protests were also held at Gandharvakottai and Pudukottai town in Pudukottai district by cadre of VCK, Democratic Youth Federation of India and Dravidar Kazhagam.
In Tiruvarur district, effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was burnt by All India Students Federation in front of the Mannargudi bus stand. Demonstrations by VCK cadre were held at Koradacheri, Tiruthuraipoondi and Mannargudi.
