SFI alleges irregularities in distribution of laptops in Madurai

The SFI members were accompanied by over 100 students who had passed out of various schools in Madurai.

Police personnel outside the Collectorate trying to stop students and members of the Students Federation of India (SFI) in Madurai on Wednesday. Photo: S. James

Members of the Students Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest outside the Collectorate here on Wednesday alleging irregularities in the distribution of laptops to students in the district.

Anticipating the protest, a large posse of police personnel had been deployed outside the Collectorate. When the protestors attempted to enter the premises, they were denied permission. Immediately, the protestors squatted on the road and staged a road roko.

Traffic was affected in the area for about 30 minutes.

The SFI members were accompanied by over 100 students who had passed out of various schools in Madurai. They were all arrested by the police and released in the evening.

The students, who are now studying in different colleges in the city, alleged that while the rest of the students in their batch had received free laptops in schools, they were not issued the laptops.

“The faculty members told us that we studied under the self-financing stream and were not eligible to get free laptops. However, we were eligible for other welfare schemes such as free uniforms and cycles, and the faculty members are yet to give us an explanation as to why we were refused laptops,” a student said.