The Tamil Nadu Government on Sunday sealed the premises of the SVS Medical College of Yoga and Naturopathy in Villupuram district following Saturday’s suicide by three girl students of the college. A hunt is on to arrest Vasugi Subramanian, the college correspondent who has been absconding since Saturday evening.
The bodies of T Monisha, E Saranya and V Priyanka, all 19 years of age and students of SVS Medical College of Yoga and Naturopathy in Villupuram, 170 km from Chennai, were found in a well near the college late Saturday. A suicide note was recovered from the site but the police is yet to reveal the contents.
According to an inspector of police, the students resorted to the extreme step because of exorbitant fees charged by the college authorities. Doctors Association for Social Equality (DASE), an organisation fighting for issues related to medical education has demanded that the families of the deceased students should be paid `15 lakh each and cases should be registered against the college management under charges of murder.
Dr GR Raveendranath, president, DASE, said the courses offered by the SVS Medical College has no recognition from the Government itself and students are forced to work as assistants and helpers in hospitals after their graduation.
SVS Medical College, a private establishment affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical College has been in the news since last October following a mass suicide attempt by students agitated over the “unreasonable and unjustified” hike in fees. They were upset over the high fees charged by the college management without issuing any receipts and lack of infrastructure in the college.
Monisha, Saranya and Priyanka hailed from poor families and were the second year students of the college. They tied themselves with the duppatta and jumped into the well. Sunday saw a large gathering of students and parents in front of the district general hospital where the autopsy was to take place. They demanded the arrest of the college authorities and register of cases on charges of murder before the autopsy was performed.
It was only by 2 pm the authorities could pacify the students and parents and make them agree for the autopsy. Students said though they had submitted memorandums to the district and State administration about the high-handed attitude of the college authorities, they did not get any justice.
All Opposition party leaders have condemned the suicide of the students and demanded the immediate arrest of the college management.