Patna, April 28: Fearing poor results, the students of Patna University today vociferously opposed the varsity’s decision to close the Central Library at 7pm following a clash between students over a petty issue on Tuesday night.

The decision to reduce the working hours of the library from 24 hours to 12 hours was taken by the university administration last night after two students’ group clashed over chairs. The students feel the early closure of the library would hamper their studies in the examination time.

The graduation and postgraduation examinations are being conducted at present. The students claimed the library, which remained open for 24 hours barring public holidays, has the perfect ambience for studies.

Ravish Verma, a postgraduate student of Darbhanga House, said: “We will not allow the administration to close down the library at 7pm. We will go to any extent to ensure our demand is met with.”

Verma said: “The varsity’s decision to restrict the timing of the library has been taken in haste and without seeking the students’ opinion.”

On Tuesday night, two students’ group clashed over sharing of chairs. A Patna College student, Sujit Kumar, who was studying in the library, sustained head injuries.

Some outsiders forcefully occupied Sujit’s chair. When he protested, the other group attacked him.

Last evening, the university administration decided that the library would remain open from 7am to 7pm in a meeting chaired by vice-chancellor Sudipto Adhikari, dean of students’ welfare P.K. Poddar and librarian Jaydev Mishra.

Manoranjan Kumar, a postgraduate student of the university, said: “This is not the first time students clashed over space. Prior to this, the library has witnessed several such incidents.”

Manoranjan claimed more than 500 students of PU go to the library daily as it is a peaceful place to study. Moreover, the 24-hour power supply lures the students to the library as most of the hostels under Patna University reel from frequent power cuts.

Gyan Ranjan, another student of Patna College, said: “A few months ago we leant that the varsity had purchased 150 chairs for the library but so far not a single chair arrived.”

The dean of students’ welfare said: “We have requested the district administration to deploy police at the library. If the administration provides us the police, the library would again remain open for 24 hours. Till then, the students will have to make do with 12-hour study in the library.”