Chennai Presidency College Student Died Over Route Thala Clash?

A tragic incident occurred in Chennai on October 4, resulting in the death of a student from Presidency College after being attacked by a group of Pachaiyappas Students. This incident is believed to be linked to a long-standing dispute over the "Route Thala" issue, which has caused tensions between the two student groups.

What Is Route Thala?

The conflict stemmed from a "route thala" issue that is unique only in Chennai, where students from different colleges clash over dominance on specific bus or train routes. These gang leaders compete for control, leading to violent confrontations, particularly among students of Pachaiyappa’s College and Presidency College.

What Happened To The Victim?

According to reports, three students from Presidency College were using public transport in the Pachaiyappa area when they were spotted by two students from Pachaiyappa College. 

The latter warned them not to use the area, and tensions escalated when a larger group of Pachaiyappa students confronted the three Presidency College students, questioning which college they belonged to.

In response, the three students attempted to flee the scene. However, one of them, identified as Sundar, fell during the chase and was caught by the group. 

Sundhar, an undergraduate political science student, was then severely beaten by the students before being rushed to the hospital with critical injuries. However, Sundar died on October 9 at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.

The incident has sparked concerns over the safety of students in the area and raised questions about the influence of the "Route Thala" issue, which appears to be at the root of the conflict. 

Police Arrest:

Following Sundar's death, the police have taken action, identifying and booking five students Eshwar, Chandru, Hariprasad, Kamaleshwar, and Yuvaraj from Pachaiyappa College. The Railway Police have filed charges and are vowing to take strict measures to prevent future incidents of student violence.

Pachaiyappa College has declared a holiday until Monday, and the authorities are working to implement stricter regulations to avoid further clashes between student groups.