Date:14/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/14/stories/2008111461520800.htm

Tamil Nadu

One-man panel to probe violence in law college

Special Correspondent

Retired judge to also look into role of police

CHENNAI: The State government has appointed a one-man commission to probe the incidents of violence at the Ambedkar Government Law College here on Wednesday, in which four students were seriously injured.

Announcing this in the Assembly on Thursday, Law Minister Durai Murugan said P.Shanmugham, a retired High Court judge, will head the Commission, which would also make a detailed inquiry into the reason behind the complacency of the police in preventing the violence indulged in by a section of the students.

Expressing the government’s anguish over the incident, Mr.Durai Murugan said to prevent any further untoward incident, all law colleges in the State would be closed and ongoing semester examinations postponed.

Suspended

The government also suspended the Law College Principal K.K.Sridev, Flower Bazaar Assistant Commissioner of Police K.Narayanamurthi and Esplanade Inspector M.Sekar Babu. Four sub-inspectors have been transferred out of the city. Seven students have been arrested in connection with the incident and cases registered against under various sections of the IPC, including Sec. 307 (attempt to murder).

Police inaction flayed

Earlier, members from various parties condemned the police for their inaction. There was no justification for the police apathy. It was unfortunate that the entire incident happened right in the presence of police, who were nonchalantly watching one group brutally attacking the other. The government should take severe action against police personnel, including higher officers, besides suspending the college principal.

D.Jayakumar (AIADMK) demanded dismissal of the concerned police personnel and action against the principal.

C.Gnansekaran (Congress) suspected that the students had engaged mercenary gangs for the clash.

T.Velmurugan (PMK) wondered how these law students could act impartially when they became judges in future.

K.Mahendran (CPI-M) said there was an alleged attempt to divide the students on caste and communal basis, which was a dangerous trend.

V.Sivapunniam (CPI) said the police inaction was deplorable.