After students’ protest, KMCT College closes down

Students take out march to the KMCT Polytechnic College at Kallanthode on Monday.

The KMCT Polytechnic College at Kallanthode was closed down indefinitely after a protest march taken out by students ended up in a scuffle with the police on Monday. A student suffered minor injuries in the police action.

The protesters, mostly comprising activists of the Kerala Students’ Union (KSU), alleged that the college authorities were imposing huge fines on them even for instances of minor violation of discipline.

Heavy fine

They alleged that students had to remit ₹1,000 as fine for violation of uniform code. Fines were charged for delayed submission of assignments too.

“We will not be able to comply with these rules where punishments turn out to be a source of income for the college. All of us have documentary evidence to prove the charges and the notes issued by teachers concerned showing acknowledgement of the amount,” said a KSU activist on condition of anonymity.

He alleged that the college authorities were trying to cover up the issue and were initiating disciplinary action against those who defied rules.

The KMCT management has decided to hold discussions with the student representatives on Wednesday, after which the date of reopening will be announced.

Referring to the ongoing protests, the management claimed that the allegations raised were baseless. Only students who had damaged college property were asked to compensate the loss with the fine amount, they said.