Student’s suicide sparks protest in Cheyyar

Students of the Arignar Anna Government Arts College in Cheyyar staged a protest following the alleged suicide of a student.

According to the police, Thanigaimalai, a resident of Mettu Street in Mukkur village of Cheyyar taluk, was a second year student of B.A. history at the college. As he and four others lacked attendance to appear for the examination, the head of the department had told them to bring their parents to the college. While four of them did so, Thanigaimalai did not. When he went to pay the examination fee, a faculty member reportedly asked him to pay it to the university and appear for the exam, the police said.

Following this, the student consumed poison. He was rushed to a government hospital where he died. On Wednesday, a section of students staged a protest demanding action against the faculty member.

People in need of counselling can contact the State Health Department’s round-the-clock helpline at 104. Chennai-based Sneha suicide prevention centre can be contacted at 044-24640050.