Malaysian students in Tamil Nadu, India have been advised to stay indoors and not leave their campus because the outcome of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s appeal will be decided by an Appeals Court in Bangalore, Karnataka, today.

“According to sources, if the outcome of the appeal did not favour the chief minister, there could be massive rioting,” consul for education and training in Chennai, Annie Sabrina Lasumin, said.

There are about 5,000 Malaysian students in South India and from the total about 900 are in Tamil Nadu.

Protests and rioting had erupted when a court in Bangalore, India had on Sept 27, convicted the chief minister, a star politician, guilty of possessing wealth that was disproportionate to her known sources of income.

She was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted by a special sessions court in Bangalore and fined Rs1 billion (US$16.3 million).

Jayalalithaa, a former actress who starred in more than 100 films, is reputed to be one of India’s most controversial and colourful politicians who began her third stint as Tamil Nadu’s chief minister in May 2011.

“I urge all students to avoid high risk places like the Central Station (Chennai) and other busy areas,” Annie appealed through the official meda and social media. “Tamil Nadu students, please stay indoors for a while.”

- Bernama