Students protest outside the vice chancellor’s office in Chaibasa. Telegraph picture

Jamshedpur, Sept. 27: In a beginning clearly fraught with difficulties, pro-vice chancellor of Kolhan University Laksmisree Banerjee today assumed additional charge as acting vice chancellor amid vociferous protests in Chaibasa.

While tainted former vice chancellor Father Beni Ekka did not turn up to hand over charge, an agitating group of students led by former Singhbhum MP and senior Congress leader Bagun Sumbrui prevented Banerjee from entering her new office on Tata College campus.

The agitators locked the offices of vice chancellor, pro-vice chancellor, registrar and examination department, demanding her resignation. She later took charge at Vikas Bhavan, the office of the Kolhan commissioner.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Banerjee said a section of students were trying to disrupt the functioning of the university. “We have sought help from the district administration,” she said.

Later in the day, she held a meeting with senior varsity officials at Circuit House in Chaibasa amid tight security.

Registrar S.S. Razi, who attended the meeting, said they had decided to conduct practical examinations for MA and MSc before Durga Puja, vacation for which would begin on October 7 instead of 15.

The university’s syndicate meeting will take place on October 6 while the affiliation committee would meet on October 5. The meeting of the Central Research Board will take place on October 4.