After illegal detention, 4-year-old not allowed to attend classes

VELLOR: A day after the Arakkonam subdivision police took a four-year-old boy, son of an absconding bootlegger, from school van to the police station to force his father to surrender, the school refused to allow the child to attend classes on Friday.
The boy was taken by a team of five police personnel, led by SI (training) Kanchana, who were in civil dress, after stopping the school van near Kamarajar statue in Madhi Mangalam.The police took the boy into custody after they failed to nab his father Vedan (alias) Vedagiri, a history-sheeter.
Sources in the school said that the van driver Silambaran questioned the police why they were taking the boy with them. The police personnel said the boy's father has been evading arrest in connection with sand smuggling and prohibition cases. "If we take the boy to the station, he (Vedagiri) will turn himself in. Thy took the boy in a two-wheeler," said the source quoting the driver. Silambaran alerted the school management and the family members of the boy. Later, correspondent of the school along with the driver went to the Arakkonam Taluk Station and requested them to let the boy go.
The school management was afraid that the incident would lead to unwanted problems and bring disrepute to the school. They prevented the boy from attending classes and sent him back home on Friday. "My son was sent back home by the school management on Friday, fearing further problems," Vedagiri said. "I spoke to the correspondent on Saturday over the phone regarding the issue. He told me that my son can attend classes regularly from Monday," he said.