The horrors of the Pollachi sexual abuse and extortion case came to light on February 24, when a 19-year-old woman registered a complaint of sexual assault against multiple men.
The four men – Thirunavakkarasu, Sathish, Sabariraj and Vasanthkumar- were then reportedly charged under the Goondas Act.
On Thursday and Friday, more than 1000 college students took to the streets demanding justice, according to Times of India.
According to reports, several private colleges in Pollachi declared a holiday on Thursday to subdue the unrest caused by the protests.
Policemen were deployed at major junctions to prevent the public from protesting. More than 350 of police personnel were deployed across town.
A Pudukottai SP was also caught on camera slapping a student staging protest, reports Times Now.
While ‘law and order was maintained’ in Pollachi, according to TOI, students from colleges in Coimbatore and Tirupur came forward to protest.
One Twitter user posted a picture of a human chain that was formed by students of Government Arts College, in Coimbatore.
According to The Hindu, another human chain was formed in protest by women’s organisations, members of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Social Democratic Party of India and others.
Following the protests, colleges were closed for the second day on Friday. Some of the college managements have asked the students to vacate the campus and even the hostel.