Hundreds of students of Arupadai Veedu Institute of Technology at Paiyanoor near Tirupporur, in Kancheepuram district, most of them belonging to other States, were asked to leave the college premises early on Saturday.
The students were protesting since Friday afternoon and on Saturday, violence broke out. Police entered the campus and initiated action.
Students, who called up media offices on Saturday morning, said that they were alarmed by reports that came last month relating to the proposed de-recognition of the deemed university status of the parent institution, Vinayaka Missions University, Salem, by the Centre.
Fearing there was follow-up action by the Centre and that management was doing nothing to quell suspicions, students began assembling in groups.
Kancheepuram district police said that on Saturday morning, as news spread, the students began to indulge in violence and stone throwing and damaged among other things an ATM of a private bank.
Students said that they were taken by surprise when the college management closed down the institution and asked them to vacate their hostel.
In addition to students in hostels on the college premises, more than 50 students staying in a private hostel in Kelambakkam, about 15 km from the institution were also asked to leave by police.
Some students said they hailed from far off States such as Jharkhand, West Bengal and in North East and wondered how they could ever reach home without train tickets as they did not have enough money.
