Attack on school condemned

[sajiv]

Attack on school condemned

ALAPPUZHA: Coir and Cooperation Minister G. Sudhakaran has on Thursday said that anti-social elements within the Students Federation of India (SFI) were behind the attack on the St. Joseph's College and School on Monday. Talking to mediapersons after visiting the St. Joseph's College and interacting with teachers and students there, he said several anti-social elements had infiltrated organisations like the SFI. These persons, particularly those who entered the St. Joseph's campus with SFI flags, should be traced and punished.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had called for observing only a Black Day on Monday. The SFI, on the other hand, had not given any strike call.

Under these circumstances, it was necessary to find who was behind the attack. No political party would attack an educational institution. There is no political aim behind the attack, but only criminal motive, he said.

Coming down heavily on the police for failing to prevent the attack and in taking proper punitive action after the incident, Mr. Sudhakaran said the police had also failed in controlling unlawful activities in the district.

Letting off on bail the two persons arrested in connection with the attack on the college was a totally unwarranted move, the Minister said, asking for the crime detachment wing to give him a comprehensive report on the attack and the damage suffered by the institution.

Municipal Chairman P.P. Chitharanjan accompanied the Minister during the visit.