Thiruvananthapuram: Educational institutions across Kerala were today (Jul 27, 2004) ordered to be closed for a week in the face of rising tide of street protests in the wake of the suicide by a Dalit engineering student, Rajani Anand.

The Kerala Government extended the closure of educational institutions till next Monday (Aug 2, 2004). Schools and colleges were closed yesterday (Jul 26, 2004) and today as per an earlier Government order.

The decision to close down educational institutions was taken in view of students' agitations which were yet to fully subside, though no major violence was reported from any part of the State today.

Pro CPM (Communist Party Marxist) students, youths and trade union activists marched through the streets in Thiruvananthapuram demanding the sacking of Education Minister Nalakath Sooppy and Minister for Welfare of Backward and Scheduled Communities M A Kuttappan.

CPM leader and State Mahila Association president P K Sreemathi, MLA, led a sit-in by SFI's (Students Federation of India) girl activists in front of the State Secretariat which passed of peacefully.

SUCI (Socialist Unity Centre of India) activists took out a separate march to the Secretariat raising the same demand while CITU (Council of Indian Trade Unions) activists took out demonstration to IHRD office.

Youth Congress activists held a dharna before the branch of Bank of Baroda here to protest against the alleged denial of education loan by banks to students. The activists pelted stones at the bank and broke windowpanes.

Chief Minister A K Antony warned the agitators that they would be dealt with firmly if they indulged in violence.