NIT Tiruchy erupts against student molestation attempt

CHENNAI: Students from NIT-Tiruchy staged a protest demanding the arrest of an electrician who had attempted to molest a girl student in the hostel while repairing a WiFi in her room.

Tiruchy SP held talks with the agitating students and they withdrew their protest after the arrest of the culprit on Friday. The institute’s administration assured to ensure safety of the girls and proper action against the warden who was lethargic.

On Thursday evening, a contract staff G Kathiresan (38) went to the girls’ hostel to fix an issue with the WiFi connection. He found a girl student alone in a room and tried to take advantage.

He attempted to molest her. Soon the girl ran out of the room and informed her fellow students and parents about the attempt.

Subsequently, the girl’s father who reached the institute lodged a complaint with the Tiruverumbur All Women Police who registered a case based on the complaint.

Meanwhile, the students who assembled in front of the hostel on the institute premises in the late evening commenced their protest demanding action against the culprit and action against the warden Baby, who was lethargic.

The information about the protest went viral on social media and the ADSP Gopal Chandran met the students and held talks with the students.

But, the students continued their protest and a section of students besieged the residence of the NIT-T Director G Aghila and demanded action against the culprits and the warden. Despite the Director’s attempts to pacify, the students continued their protest till Friday morning.

On information, SP V Varun Kumar held talks with the agitating students and assured action against the culprit. He asked the students to give a written complaint against the warden for further action.

Upon assurance by the SP, the students withdrew their protest. In the meantime, a case was registered against Kathiresan under four IPC sections and police arrested and produced him before the court and was lodged in the prison.

Tiruchy Collector, who addressed reporters, said that there was a safety lapse in the NIT hostel. He explained that male workers should enter girls’ hostel rooms only under the supervision of the warden.

In this incident, the warden was lethargic. If the students submit a complaint against the warden, proper action would be initiated. At the same time, the district administration has sought an explanation from the authorities of NIT-Tiruchy.

Meanwhile, the NIT administration has issued a statement claiming that the administration was distressed at the incident and the authorities have initiated stringent measures to ensure safety of the students in the campus, particularly the safety of the girl students.

“The security officer has been instructed to be more vigilant so as to prevent such eventualities,” the statement added.