Bhubaneswar, Jan. 3: Students of the Gangadhar Meher College today blocked the road in front of the institution opposing re-examination and demanded that all of them should be awarded 70 per cent marks in the last semester examination.

Their answer sheets were destroyed last week in a fire.

The students blocked the road for nearly three hours before the district administration intervened and assured them that their demand would be looked into.

There was a fire in the examination hall of GM College the examination papers were gutted. All computer sets in the complex too were damaged. The college authorities have lodged a complaint with the police and the case is under investigation.

Following the fire, the executive council of the college took a decision that the students would be awarded marks on the basis of their previous semesters. However, the students are opposing the move and have also made it clear that they would not reappear in another examination.

The college authorities have refused to concede to their demand of awarding 70 per cent marks to everyone. The students later suggested that all of them be given 65 per cent marks, which too was not acceptable by the administration.

The college authorities said those agreed for an examination could appear for the examination. But the students protested and submitted a memorandum to the district collector.

After the district administration intervened, the college authorities said they would take a decision on this issue by January 10.

After the assurance, the students withdrew the road blockade.