FCRI students withdraw fast, agitation continues

: Students of Forest College and Research Institute at nearby Mettupalayam have withdrawn their indefinite fast but are continuing their sit-in dharna inside the campus, demanding implemenation of their two-point demand on increased job reservation in the forest department.
Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agicultural University, Dr K Ramasamy had held talks with them till late last night to break the deadlock.
The students rejected his suggestion to withdraw their stir so that they could hold talks with the government and management, Institute sources said.
However past midnight, the students themselves withdrew their five day fast, saying their prime aim to stop the exam for the post of foresters had failed.

They said they would continue their agitation, seeking 100 per cent reservation for the post of rangers and quota and priority in the appointment of foresters.
With most political parties extending support to their fight, visit of a few CPI(ML) workers resulted in controversy as some social media picked up it and described the stir as one backed by Maoists.

The students rejected it and said leaders of all parties, barring ruling AIADMK, had visited them and expressed their solidarity for the cause.
Attempts to contact Ramasamy and Dean of the institute remained futile.
Over 200 students had gone on the agitational path since Jan 27, started their indefinite fast on February 17 and 61 of them were hospitalised after they fell ill.