More than 1000 coaching centres in Delhi, most of them operating without following safety norms; students stage protest on street

NEW DELHI: It is estimated that there are over a thousand coaching centres in the national capital that prepare students for admission to higher education programs and civil service. Students protested in Delhi yesterday, alleging that many coaching centres did not adhere to safety standards.

"We had regularly informed the authorities about safety issues in numerous coaching institutions. Those running the coaching centres and the officials are colluding," students said to Kerala Kaumudi.

There are several coaching centres in the Old Rajinder Nagar neighbourhood, where the accident occurred. Water is overflowing in the area due to the heavy rain in the last few days.

Shortly after the incident on Saturday, students began demonstrating on the streets. A large group of students gathered in the Old Rajinder Nagar area. Despite repeated attempts by the police to persuade them, the protest continued. The protest expanded to Pusa Road by 2.30 p.m. yesterday. This resulted in the deployment of additional police teams and rapid response units in the region. In the evening, the demonstrators were forcibly removed. The police stated that they would not file a case considering the students' future.

Lathicharge
Meanwhile, ABVP workers marched to the official residence of Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi. They smeared black oil on the board in front of the Mayor's residence. Police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protesters.