Hundreds of students from SNDP Higher Secondary School at Nadakkavu led a protest rally against the attack on one of their friends on Wednesday evening. Jishnu S., a Class XI student of the school, was attacked by unidentified assailants, after he informed his principal about sale of tobacco products near the school.
Students, faculty and other officials of the school, members of the Udayamperoor panchayat, and others took out a rally demanding quick police action and an end to the ‘drugs mafia.’
School principal Babu E.G., said that Jishnu was a model student and an active member of the school’s Anti-Narcotics Club. “He was also a part of the drama team of the club that performed street plays against the use of narcotics,” Mr. Babu said. Jishnu had informed the principal about the sale of chewing tobacco at a store near the school. He left the school complex around 4 p.m. on Wednesday and was walking home when four men arrived on two bikes and kicked him repeatedly.
A few teachers who happened to walk that way saw him lying unconscious. School officials and police are concerned about how the information that Jishnu had complained reached the assailants. “He had told a few of his classmates and the school principal. He has been active in anti-narcotics activities of the school and tries to dissuade students from using drugs and intoxicating substances,” said Jishnu’s cousin Shibin.
Shibin said that Jishnu had been discharged from the hospital here and was being moved to Vaikom, where his parents live. “He was staying at my house so he could study here. But his parents are concerned about his safety and have taken him home,” Shibin said.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala directed Kochi city police commissioner K.G. James to take over the probe into the attack on Jishnu. Minister for Excise K. Babu also ordered action on those involved in the sale of drugs and intoxicants in the area.
Violence at Maharajas’ Early on Thursday a few students at the Maharajas' College hostel were involved in a tussle in which two of them were injured. Police said that the tussle was following an argument between students and was not the fallout of the row between rival political outfits. The college reopened for classes on Thursday following a clash between rival groups in which three students were injured.
