Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (EP)
Mangalore, Mar 20: The second agitation by the students of PA College against the management on Wednesday March 19 turned violent and the police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse the protesters.
The college dismissed Abdul Rehman, the student welfare officer in response to the agitation.
The students had boycotted their classes on March 15 protesting against lack of basic facilities, inferior quality of food and mistreatment by student welfare officer. The management had assured of suitable action before March 19. The students had gone back to the classes following the assurances.
It was decided to remove Abdul Rehman from the post and appoint him as the principal of the Diploma wing. However, the students demanded that he be removed from the post of principal also and pasted handbills from the main entrance to the college building demanding his termination.
When the students started pelting stones, Konaje police resorted to mild lathi charge and drove away the protesting students out of the college premises. However, the students did not relent and damaged the name board of the college and window panes of security guard's booth by pelting stones. They also assaulted the videographer who was recording the protest for the police.
Some students were injured in the second lathi charge. The students stood out for two hours shouting slogans. KSRP police team was called.
The ACP who arrived at the place tried to pacify the students. However, the students refused to stop their agitation until Abdul Rehman was removed.
The ACP held discussions with the management and it was decided to relieve Abdul Rehman of all the posts. The students called off the agitation after R J D' Souza announced the decision.