Chennai, Jan 20 (IANS) The unrest amongst the students of the deemed universities in Tamil Nadu, whose derecognition has been sought, spread Wednesday with protests being held in several of them.

The central government Monday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court seeking derecognition of 44 institutions, of which 16 are in Tamil Nadu.

Students of Ponnaiyah Ramajayam Institute of Science and Technology (PRIST) University in Thanjavur, Vels University near here and Vinayaka Mission in Salem protested on their college premises Wednesday.

Students of PRIST University went on rampage, damaging property and also attempted to prevent traffic on the Thanjavur-Trichi highway.

The police chased away the protestors and the PRIEST University declared indefinite closure of the institution. Students staying in the hostel were asked to vacate the premises immediately.

Students of Vels University and Vinayaka Missions University in Salem also protested.

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal Tuesday said in New Delhi the concept of deemed universities will be abolished in India. However, he requested the students not to panic and assured them that they will get a university degree even if the deemed university status is cancelled.

The government would permit the deemed universities to get themselves affiliated to another university as a normal college.

The violent protests are seen as a result of the pent-up anger of the students who are not treated properly and subjected to a strict regime.

Meanwhile, vice-chancellors of the deemed universities are meeting in Chennai to chalk out their future course of action.