Continuing their novel protests, some students of Forest College and Research Institute (FCRI), on an indefinite dharna for the past ten days pressing for job reservation, shed their blood on a sapling, in a symbolic gesture that they would save forests till their last drop of blood.
The students, including 63 girls, are on the dharna inside the FCRI campus in Mettupalayam, about 40 kms from here, pierced their fingers with needles and dropped the blood on the sapling.
This was to symbolise that if appointed as rangers, they can protect the forest and nature till their last drop of blood, one of the students said.
The students are seeking restoration of the 100 per reservation in the appointment of foresters and rangers to forestry graduates. Government has reduced the quota to 25 per cent last year.
They have been holding novel protests in the past few days such as tonsuring their heads and performing final rites.
