Lathi-charge on students demanding fee reimbursement

A peaceful protest demanding the release of long-pending fee reimbursement dues turned tense on Monday after students were forcefully dispersed by police. Members of the YSR Students Union, led by its state president Panuganti Chaitanya, staged a demonstration in front of the State Social Welfare Department office in Tadepalli, raising slogans and demanding immediate payment of dues.

The situation escalated when police, acting on orders from senior officials, allegedly resorted to a sudden lathi-charge. Students were beaten, dragged, and pushed into police vans before being shifted to the Duggirala Police Station. Protesters claimed they were treated “as if they were hardened criminals” for simply demanding their rightful dues.

Speaking to the media, Chaitanya strongly criticised the government, accusing it of abandoning promises made during the elections. He said that while the government had assured regular release of fee reimbursement funds, only ₹700 crore had been disbursed so far this year, even though ₹5,600 crore was due by December.

He added that hostel allowance payments, which were supposed to be released last April, had also been delayed due to the election code and had now accumulated to ₹2,200 crore. In total, he claimed, the government currently owes students nearly ₹7,100 crore.

Chaitanya also criticised IT Minister Nara Lokesh, stating that students had expected improvements in the education sector under his leadership but were left disappointed. He alleged that the department had become “completely non-functional,” pushing students and teachers into distress.

According to him, many students were taking up daily-wage labour to pay their fees, and even teachers were struggling due to delays in salary payments. “When students ask for their dues, cases are being filed against them. When they protest peacefully, they are beaten by police,” he said, warning that public patience is running out.

Several state-level and district-level leaders of the YSR Students Union participated in the protest.