Erode: Tension prevailed in Erode city on Monday after police personnel lathicharged students who had cleared Class XII for protesting against denial of free laptops which had been promised by the Tamil Nadu government. Police arrested 58 students, including 33 girls, for blocking the Erode-Mysuru National Highway (NH).
According to the Veerappanchatram police, the 2017-18 Class XII students suddenly blocked the NH around 12.30 pm, demanding laptops.
"Erode town DSP Radhakrishnan, Erode district chief educational officer (CEO) Balamurali and other officials initiated peace talks with the students," they said.
Even by 2.30pm, the students were unyielding. Police moved the protesters to one side of the road and allowed vehicles to pass on the other side as traffic was stranded on the Erode-Mysuru NH for two hours.
A few students pulled out the ignition keys of motor bikes when the motorists tried to pass the protest area. "The DSP and other police officials warned the students," said an onlooker, "but the students continued their protest."
At one stage, police resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd. "The arrested students will be released after a warning," said a police officer.
The Veerappanchatram area wore a deserted look after police used force. Personnel from the Armed Reserve and the local station were deployed to keep the situation under control.
