AISF members stage a demonstration in front of Magadh University branch office at Kankerbagh in Patna on Thursday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Feb. 10: Members of All India Students’ Federation (AISF) today launched a protest against the hike in the price of admission forms for Magadh University colleges.

The protesters paralysed classes and the regular administrative work at the AN College, Ganga Devi Mahila College, College of Commerce and the varsity’s branch office at Kankerbagh. They also closed down the form counters at the colleges.

The price of admission forms has been increased to Rs 20 from Rs 4.

“The price has been increased by the university administration without any prior intimation to the students. This is a significant increase. If we don’t protest now, other such changes will soon be introduced,” said Sushil Kumar, a student leader.

Sushil added: “On one hand, the state government claims it is facilitating higher education. On the other hand, the college administration is unnecessarily increasing the price of admission forms.”

At AN College, the authorities warned the students that they would lodge an FIR if the protest does not come to a halt.

Meanwhile, at the Kankerbagh branch office, the protesters clashed with policemen on duty. Some of the students were injured in the clash, said a source.

“The students were protesting peacefully. But the police attacked them without any provocation,” said Bishwajeet, the AISF state secretary.

N.P. Tiwary, the branch head of Magadh University, said: “A few students with ulterior motives were protesting today. The protest could have been democratic. There was no need to be unruly.”