Bhubaneswar, Oct 28: A group of students of Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER) today locked gates demanding abolition of the year back system.

Second year BTech students locked the main college gate and squatted before it, shouting slogans demanding scrapping of the year back system, the internal back system and removal of the clause of minimum 75 per cent attendance from their curriculum.

Of a total of 1,800 students, 82 students had failed. The students demanded a special examination so that they could reappear for their papers. They rued that the standard of their course was very tough and pressure was very high. “The study time given to us before examination was not sufficient. As a result, many students failed,” said student Rajesh.

Following lifting of the blockade the university authorities and students had a meeting, in which it was decided that a special examination would be held for the year back students.

“We have decided to hold a special exam for the having year back students. The date will be intimated later. But we are not going to compromise on students who have shortage of attendance,” said R.P. Mohanty, the vice-chancellor of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University.

“We will continue to be strict with students who do not come to the class and those who resort to malpractice,” said the vice-chancellor.

, adding that students have already signed an undertaking stating that they would not resort to any such actions in future.