Agitations by various sections of society, especially students, against the recent hike in bus fare continued in several parts of the central districts in the State. While students stayed away from classes to stage demonstrations, women revolted against the “unfair” increase.
Students of Kunthavai Nacchiyar Government Arts College for Women in Thanjavur boycotted classes for the second day on Tuesday, besides staging a vehement protest to condemn the hike. More than 300 students of Tamilavel Umamaheswaranar Karanthai Arts College staged a demonstration near their institution.
Members of the National Federation of Indian Women staged a novel demonstration near the Railway Junction in Thanjavur with a bullock cart serving as the stage. Speakers said the protest was to highlight the “back-breaking burden” of increased bus fare that was forcing the people to think of travelling by bullock carts. The federation district secretary, M. Vijayalakshmi, led the demonstration.
Kumbakonam
In Kumbakonam, students of Government Arts College staged a road block demanding a rollback of the hiked fare. They boycotted classes, staged a demonstration near the college entrance and then resorted to a road blockade near Bhaktapuri Street. Sections of students staged a sit in stir. Kumbakonam DSP Ganesamurthy held talks with the agitators after which they withdrew their stir.
Students of Thiru Vi Ka Government Arts College at Kidaramkondan in Tiruvarur boycotted classes and staged a demonstration against the hike, which, they alleged, would affect all sections of society and, in particular, students, poor and rural masses.
Vehicular traffic on Thuraiyur-Perambalur Road was hit after a group of students of Bharathidasan University Constituent College, Kurumbalur, staged a road roko for nearly three hours.
The police diverted vehicles due to the road blockade in which around 150 students, including girls, took part. A section of school students and the general public staged a road roko for some time at Pudhuvettakudi village in Perambalur district. They withdrew after officials intervened.
A group of students of Government Polytechnic College at Thuvakudi near Tiruchi staged a demonstration in front of their institution. Students of H.H. The Rajah's College in Pudukottai staged a dharna in front of their institution.
In Ariyalur, students of Government Arts College boycotted classes for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. They took out a rally on Ariyalur-Senthurai Road and blocked traffic near the bus stand. They indulged in sloganeering against the government.
