Police arrested the leaders of AISF, SFI and PDSU who demonstrated on student issues and burnt an effigy of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at the Mahatma Gandhi statue before the Collectorate here on Monday.
AISF city vice-president Bheemesh, who smeared black paint all over his body and carried a placard of “fee demon” was a special attraction in the protest. The protesters carried an effigy of the Chief Minister in a “funeral procession” with drum beaters in the forefront from the KC Canal to the Collectorate and burnt it there.
AISF district president Srinivasulu, vice-president Mahendra, SFI district president Anand and secretary Raj Kumar and PDSU State organising secretary Bhaskar, who led the protest, demanded withdrawal of G.O. No. 35 ordering closure of about 300 aided schools and social welfare hostels in the State. They sought a hike in the mess and cosmetic charges of hostellers, which had not been revised for two years.
The police arrested the leaders of the student organisations and shifted them to Kurnool Three Town police station.