The Madras high court on Thursday directed Queen Mary's College authorities to open the institution and asked the students to attend the classes while staying the demolition of any building in the campus.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice B Subashan Reddy and Justice F M Ibrahim Khallifullah gave the orders while hearing a number of petitions challenging the government's decision to establish the state secretariat at the site after demolishing the college building.

The bench made it clear that except for students, teaching and non-teaching staff no one should be allowed into the college campus and told the students to attend the classes and not to abstain.

The bench also granted an interim stay against demolition of any building in the college campus.

Directing the college and hostel premises to 'be cordoned off and strictly guarded by women police personnel, with a police woman in the rank of SP in charge', the Judges said the SP should monitor the situation and inform the Director General of police in the event of any untoward incident.

The bench also directed the authorities concerned to restore canteen facilities to students and also ensure that toilets were maintained in a hygienic manner. Parents and guardians will now have to obtain prior permission from the concerned authority before visiting their wards.

Earlier, concluding his arguments, state Advocate General N R Chandran said the decision to demolish the 'cluster of old and dilapidated buildings' and construct a secretariat complex in the college campus was not arbitrary and in no way violated fundamental rights provided under the constitution.

Stating that there was no restriction on construction of a secretariat complex at the site, despite it falling within the Coastal Requlatory Zone as it was located on the landward side of the existing road, he said the college had not been declared a Heritage site.

Besides, he said, demolition of the old buildings was in the interest of the safety of students and staff.