Coimbatore: Tense moments prevailed near the Government Law College near Marudhamalai on Wednesday when a section of Law College students resorted to road blockade right in front of the college blocking traffic to and from Marudhamalai.

They said that they were protesting against the introduction of semi low floor buses and imposition of indirect bus fare increase.

The agitation took a new turn when the students alleged that they were manhandled by a police officer at Vadavalli police station in the morning.

Students objected to the introduction of semi low floor buses and indirect imposition of bus fare increase on Tuesday morning. However the agitation was resolved soon.

On Wednesday, a group of students are said to have boarded the semi low floor bus at Gandhipuram and insisted that they would pay only the ordinary fare.

It is learnt that the bus crew handed them over to the Vadavalli police.

Later, the students alleged that they were manhandled by a police officer.

Students alleged that they could not afford to pay 100 per cent increase in fare every day as ordinary buses were being replaced with semi low floor buses even during peak hours.

Even as the situation grew tense, the police rushed in reinforcements.

As the road blockade was on, devotees to Marudhamalai and residents living in the area were forced to walk for more than two km since road traffic stood completely suspended.

Revenue Divisional Officer, M. Balachandran and Coimbatore South Tahsildar, P. Subramanian held talks with the agitated students.

It was made clear to students that both ordinary as well as semi low floor buses would be operated and students could opt for a bus of their choice.

It was also promised to operate both buses during peak hours, giving an option to students.

With regard to the charge of a police officer manhandling a student, revenue authorities asked the students to give a complaint in writing so that the same could be investigated and action could be initiated against the official concerned.

Courtesy - Hindu