Sensing trouble, the City Police fortified the IIT-Madras campus on Sardar Patel Road, Adyar, on Saturday following protests against the de-recognition of the Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle by the IIT-M administration.
A police team led by Deputy Commissioner was posted at the IIT gates from 9 a.m. and over 300 personnel remained vigilant on the flyover near the Madhya Kailash bus stop and other roads leading to IIT-M.
The police teams were standing guard to prevent political and student outfits from entering the campus following the institute’s decision stifling free speech.
Around 10.45 a.m, Democratic Youth Federation of India members attempted to march into the campus but were intercepted by the police.
The group raised slogans against the IIT-M administration and the HRD Minister Smriti Irani .
Traffic was briefly disrupted on the stretch.
Later, five more groups, including members of the Congress youth wing, marched towards the IIT but were intercepted at Madhya Kailash junction and adjoining stretches and apprehended.
Protesters releasedOver 120 arrested persons, including women were housed at a community hall in Little Mount and later released, police sources said.
Till Saturday night, police continued to guard the IIT campus. Meanwhile, a federation of student associations in the State condemned IIT-M’s decision.
