Date:10/01/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/01/10/stories/2006011004040300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Student bodies seek action against hostel warden

Staff Reporter

Rise in atrocities against women

College, school students take out procession

Warden's alleged harassment of student triggers protest

ANANTAPUR: Several student and women's organisations took to the streets here on Monday in protest against increasing incidence of atrocities on women. District units of All-India Students' Federation and National Federation for Indian Women took out a procession by college and schoolgirls from K.S.R. Government College to Tower Clock and back. They raised slogans seeking action against the culprits.

The immediate provocation for their protest was Sunday's incident of alleged harassment of a Class X girl by the warden of one of the hostels of a private educational institution here.

The management of the educational institution was also trying to shield the warden, as he was their relative, AISF and NFIW leaders alleged.

They also objected to the remarks of the institution founder, U. Rajeswara Rao, who told mediapersons on Sunday that it would be free publicity for his institution if they tried to make an issue out of the incident. They demanded immediate action against the warden and the institution.

They urged the police to control eve teasing in the surroundings of educational institutions, particularly near girls' schools and colleges.

Dharna

The National Students' Union of India also staged a dharna and rasta roko seeking action against the warden. All-India Women's Cultural Association called on Superintendent of Police S.K. Jain and sought action against the increasing incidence of atrocities against women including eve teasing.