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| Students of the various Odia departments of Utkal University protest outside the varsity main gate demanding creation of independent posts for teaching Odia at the school level. Picture by Ashwinee Pati |
Cuttack, Aug. 7: Tension prevailed at Biren Mitra Memorial Women’s College at Thoria Sahi here today after students staged a protest against lack of development work in the college.
Over 200 girl students locked the main gate and later staged a road blockade, demanding removal of the principal and urgent measures to redress their grievances. Vehicular traffic at Thoria Sahi road, which acts as a connecting link between Mangalabag, Ranihat, Bajrakabati and Kesharpur, was disrupted for over one-and-half hours. This caused severe inconvenience to commuters.
“We were forced to stage the demonstration as the college authorities have not taken any step for development of infrastructure at the college,” said Snehalata Nayak, a Plus Three first-year student.
Nayak said the college lacked basic infrastructure such as adequate classrooms, drinking water facilities and better laboratory equipment.
“There are only five classrooms and students are forced to stand to attend their classes. Two classes are conducted in a single room by creating temporary partitions, which usually creates problems for the students,” said Bhagyashree Sahoo, another Plus Three student.
The institution was established in 1981 and it got the status of a degree college in 1990. Over 500 students pursue Plus Two and Plus Three courses in arts and science at the college.
The students said that they were facing difficulties, as it lacked proper toilet facilities. The only toilet at the college is in dilapidated condition and there is no provision for electricity and water supply. The college also lacks proper drainage system.
Although the students claimed to have brought these issues to the notice of the college authorities, no step has been taken so far to address their grievances.
Despite many attempts, college principal Abha Kanungo could not be contacted.