Testing time for Kerala students in TN

PALAKKAD: In the wake of the Mullaperiyar dam controversy and the subsequent tension in the border areas, the students from Kerala who are studying in Coimbatore and adjacent districts in Tamil Nadu are having a harrowing time.In Coimbatore, three colleges were closed last Thursday after informing the students that the institutions will be reopened on December 26.The colleges were closed a week ahead of the scheduled date of closure.These institutions had stopped operating college buses since last week.“College buses of some institutions take students only till the railway stations.Students from Kerala are asked to travel in train to ensure safety,” said Mohammed Riyaz of Pattambi, the parent of a student who is doing Hotel Management course in Coimbatore.However, another college in Peelamedu will close only on December 24.“As per the university rules, attendance is compulsory for us and the loss of working days will be a problem.The semester examinations are scheduled to begin on January 2.But most students have come home to Palakkad,” said Rashmi, a third semester student of an engineering college in Coimbatore.Despite these issues, some students have decided to stay in their hostels for their study requirements.“We are staying in hostels.But since many shops have been closed, we are unable to buy the requirements for our projects which have to be submitted on time.Moreover, if we go home, we will not be able to refer library books,” said Dilip, a student.“My son is studying for biochemistry in a college in Peelamedu.Since he is in the National Cadet Corps, his classmates, who are all Tamil, escort him to his room.These students have assured him all protection,” said the Palakkad division chairman of the Malabar Devaswom Board M Dandapani.“However, he is not getting food as some of the shops near his rented house were closed,” Dandapani said.If need arises, Central forces should be deployed in the border areas to ensure safety of the students and public who travel across to the neighbouring state, he said.Dandapani said the students who were in various stages of their studies should be allowed to complete their courses without any problem and both the Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments should ensure it