CHENNAI: The clash between two groups of students that shocked the public at Thiruvottiyur on Wednesday is not uncommon in Chennai, where students of various city colleges have had a history of fighting with one another, mostly over petty matters but often ending in full-scale attacks.
In Chennai, it is the buses and bus-stands that often become the battleground for these clashes. Though the Madras High Court had banned ‘bus day’ celebrations, some still manage to stage the disruptive celebration that affects the public and the operation of transport services. Many a time, things turn ugly and affect even the innocent passengers, like in a recent incident where students of Presidency College stoned an MTC that was plying through Nungambakkam High Road. The group had an axe to grind with the students of Nandanam College who were having a fun-ride singing songs.
Police officials said the reasons for even the bloodiest clashes are often silly, like over a girl who travels on the same bus or a specific bus route.
The top brass of the city police, who have been coordinating with the Higher Education Department and the college managements to do away with the ragging on the campuses, are also working on plans including promoting cultural events to prevent such clashes.
Police sources said that they have identified 21 sensitive routes, including 1D, 6D, 27H, 29A, 29C, 24A, 59E, 57F, and 159 operated by the MTC that pass through the route that has several colleges. Officials claimed that the twin strategy of policing and preventing students from gathering have helped in bringing down such incidents.
As many as 99 students have been arrested during 2013 and six students were dismissed from their colleges for indulging in such violence.