TN parties flay police action on law students

Political parties in Tamil Nadu, including DMK and CPI (M), today flayed police action on law students here protesting the proposed decision to shift the Dr Ambedkar Government Law College, functioning at the Madras High Court premises, to another location due to ongoing Metro Rail Work.
Students had staged a series of protests, disrupting traffic in many parts yesterday. Police had later resorted to lathi-charge, injuring some of them.
Even as students continued with sit-in protests today in different parts of the state,the state government announced that the institution will be closed for seven days.
Citing 'students's agitation' over the issue, the Department of Legal Studies said hostels for both men and women students will also remained close for seven days.

Students had opposed the move to shift the premises citing convenience of access besides being within the premises of the Madras High Court.
Meanwhile, expressing solidarity with their counterparts, law students across the state, including at Madurai and Coimbatore, staged protests including boycotting of classes.

DMK, CPI (M) and DMDK besides others criticised the police action on law students.
DMK Student's Wing Secretary Ela.Pugalenthi said students, who had earlier met senior government officials over this matter, were attacked brutally for protesting a 'just' cause.
"DMK Students Wing strongly condemns the government for the attack besides not solving the issue appropriately," he said in a statement.

CPI (M) State Secretary G Ramakrishnan demanded action against erring police officials for lathi-charging students and demanded that the college continue to function from High Court premises. He also demanded that the state governnment hold talks with the students to amicably settle the issue.
DMDK founder Vijayakant and PMK founder S Ramadoss also flayed the state government over the episode.