Southern States - Pondicherry   

Arts college closed after student agitation

By Our Staff Reporter

Pondicherry Sept. 21. The Director of Education, G.Theva Needhi Dhas, said today that the Government Tagore Arts College here would remain closed until further orders following student agitation on the campus on Friday.

The authorities recently dismissed some students for indulging in ragging following complaints from parents and students. To protest the disciplinary action, a section of students damaged college property on Friday. Police rushed to the spot to prevent escalation of violence on the campus. The students had reportedly closed the main gate and indulged in violence.

The Education Minister, K. Lakshminarayanan, told The Hindu today that the department would not brook indiscipline in educational institutions. He had asked the college management to take steps to prevent violence on the campus.

He called for a report on the extent of damage caused to the college property. Those who indulged in violence would be strictly dealt with, Mr. Lakshminarayanan said.

Reportedly a staff's vehicle was also damaged. The staff held a meeting immediately after the incidents and it was unanimously decided that the college be closed until further orders.

He said already the college was doing poorly in the public examination with only 40 per cent pass. The result would improve only when there was discipline. Hence, no interference in the efforts of the authorities to restore peace and discipline in the college, he added.

The college, a first post-merger institution in higher education, was started in 1962.

It initially offered undergraduate courses but now started PG courses also.

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