CNLU students on the institute premises. Telegraph picture

Patna, April 25: Lack of positive assurance from the state government and the varsity administration forced the students of Chanakya National Law University (CNLU) to call off their hunger strike which entered the eighth day today.

The students had been fasting for job placement demand.

Sudhanshu, a final-year student of CNLU, who has been agitating with his batch mates, said: “Since the day we started our hunger strike a week back, several representatives, including few MLAs from the ruling as well as Opposition parties, have been visiting our campus. However, none of them have given any concrete answer or assurance to us.”

Even today, BJP leaders Arun Kumar Sinha, Nitin Navin, and Usha Vidyarthi met the fasting students and assured them of raising the issue of their placements with chief minister Nitish Kumar and other government officials.

Sudhanshu, who is the son of a city-based lawyer, added: “My family has invested more than Rs 6 lakh in the past five years with the hope that one day I will get a job as a legal advisor in a corporate firm. All the dreams that my family saw for me will be shattered if the varsity administration does not wake up.”

Sudhanshu is not an isolated case. There are many more like him who are demoralised and feel their weeklong agitation has failed to create an impact on the government and university authorities. Several students said they would be forced to search for employment outside Patna if there are no placements at the varsity.

Sudhanshu said: “I am planning to go to New Delhi in search of a job after the completion of my course.” The first batch of CNLU students will pass out by May end.

The final year examinations that are a fortnight away are also a concern for the students, as they don’t want to take chances with their studies.

Hope for MU

Students of AN College today called off the hunger strike after an assurance from the Magadh University (MU) authorities that a uniform fee structure will be worked out for the branch office and the head office. The students were demanding a reworking of the fee structure at the university level.

The students’ agitation was supported by members of All India Students Federation (AISF). Students alleged that there is vast difference in the fee structure at Magadh University’s main campus and branch campus.

Addressing a news conference organised on the premises of Arvind Mahila College today, B.B. Sharma, dean of students’ welfare, said: “As per the instructions of vice-chancellor Arvind Kumar, a meeting was held at AN College. The demands of the students were accepted at the meeting and it was decided that from the next year, students in Magadh University will have to pay same fees. Also extra amount charged by the students (2011-12) this year will be compensated next year.”