A 25-year-old engineering graduate who staged a protest for over 20 hours atop a rock near Arthanareeswarar Temple in Tiruchengode and threatened to commit suicide, withdrew his protest on Wednesday after officials promised to look into his demands.
At 12 p.m. on Tuesday, M. Dinesh of Puliyampatti village climbed up the rock near Uchipillaiyar temple and demanded revoking the ban on jallikattu, providing old age pension to people above 70 years, and making yoga education compulsory for all across the country. He threatened to commit suicide if his demands were not met.
Talks by Tiruchengode Revenue Divisional Officer G. Mahatma and police officials using public address system failed as he wanted senior IAS officer U. Sagayam to give assurance in fulfilling his demands. He threatened to jump from the rock if attempts were made to rescue him.
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In the evening, District Collector V. Dakshinamoorthy and Superintendent of Police V. Sasi Mohan tried to pacify him over phone, but he failed to withdraw his protest. Since it rained in the night, officials could not hold talks with him. On Wednesday, Mr. Mahatma, DSP Suresh and media persons climbed the rock and pacified him.
After officials assured to fulfil his demands, he withdrew his protest at 9.30 a.m. The police rescued Dinesh and admitted him to Tiruchengode Government Hospital.