Bhubaneswar, April 5: The Balasore Development Forum, a citizens' group, launched an indefinite hunger strike in front of the district collector's office today, demanding opening of the second Kendriya Vidyalaya in the district headquarters town.

The agitators demanded that the school be opened and admission be started from the current academic session. Social activists and people from various walks of life joined the members of the forum in support of the demand.

"The lone Kendriya Vidyalaya in the town is inadequate to cater to the requirements in view of the presence of a large number of defence and central government establishments," said forum president Bikram Panda.

"The demand has been made from various quarters for the past 10 years. But, nothing has happened despite repeated assurances," he rued.

District collector Pramod Das said steps were being taken to open the second Kendriya Vidyalaya in the town. "We have given advance possession for around 10 acres in Remuna block on the town outskirts and the state government has accorded necessary approval. Now, the ball is in the court of the Kendriya Vidyalay Sangathan's additional commissioner. His nod is expected this month," said Das. The Balasore district administration identified a multipurpose cyclone shelter at Remuna to start the school from the current academic session, he said.

Kendriya Vidyalaya principal S.K. Behera said: "The district administration has expedited the process. We are waiting for the signal from our authorities." The government had announced four years ago that the second Kendriya Vidyalaya would be established in Balasore town. Site selection teams had visited several proposed sites. However, the construction of the school has not started yet.