Chennai: Thirtythree students of Pachaiyappa’s College, Chetpet, identified as ‘route thala’ (king of a bus / route to or from college), have given in writing to the police that they would not indulge in violence.
They also took a vow today in the presence of assistant commissioner of Ambattur police station, Eswaran, that they would not create any trouble.
The parents of the trouble-makers were also summoned to the police station and advised along with their wards.
Last night, eight students from Anna Nagar, Medavakkam and Koyambedu met Anna Nagar Deputy Commissioner Muthuswamy and gave similar letters.
Yesterday, Joint Commissioner (East) R Sudhakar, met principals of Presidency College, Pachaiyappa’s College and New College at his office.
He had said 90 ‘route thalas’ from these three colleges were identified. The principals told the officers that one of the main reasons behind the clashes was former students who instigated the juniors.
Yesterday, the police also came to the conclusion that the college students indulged in violence while asserting their ‘leadership’ on a particular route that they take to college or home. They came to be known as ‘route thala’.
The latest incident saw one group of Pachaiyappa’s College students attacking another with knives and sickles on bus. The video went viral and shocked everyone through its sheer brutality.
The Chennai police quickly swung into action and arrested the attackers. The victims were recovering in hospital.
Concluding that enough is enough of student violence on buses and trains, the police decided to take strong action, including using the stringent Goondas Act on them.
Today, they identified the other ‘route thalas’ and made them give in writing that they would shun violence.