Bhubaneswar, Jan. 11: Authorities of Central University of Orissa in Koraput have slashed the semester registration fee from Rs 3,000 to Rs 300 after many students of the university started agitating.

Authorities have also initiated an inquiry into Wednesdays’ brawl at the university’s camp office that left a few students injured. A committee has been formed for this purpose.

The university had abruptly increased the fee from Rs 300 to Rs 3,000 early this month without citing any reason, alleged the students. Although the last date for registration was January 6, students did not register as they were protesting against the hike.

However, the students who launched the strike yesterday pressing for various demands were in for a surprise when they were apprised of the fee slash. “We were told that the fee has been reduced and that registrations started from today,” said Nishan Pattnaik, a student.

Following the changes, students today turned up in large numbers to fill up the forms.

“They are collecting Rs 300 but none of us have been given the receipts. We will be getting them tomorrow. However, unless we get the receipts we are sceptical about the amount they will be collecting from us. We are still confused if the amount is going to be Rs 300 or Rs 3,000,” said Pragyan, another student.

Continuing with their announcement, the students had boycotted classes yesterday, demanding removal of the staff involved in the incident. They had also demanded cutting of the recent registration fee hike, appointment of adequate and sufficient faculty and shifting of the camp office to Koraput.

“Vice-chancellor Surabhi Bannerjee has promised to discuss the matter with us on January 18. Since most of us will not be available for the Parab festival and Pongal during January 14, 15 and 16, we have decided to continue with the strike after January 18,” said Pattnaik.

University officials, however, refused to admit that any strike was going on. “The situation is normal and there is no strike. How can one call a strike when registrations are going on,” said officer on special duty Sudhakar Pattnaik.

Registrar in charge B.B. Mishra said: “The students did not have to pay any fees till last year. They had to pay a monthly fee of Rs 11. A fee committee had recently recommended the hike. However, I have no knowledge of the strike.”