Artistes perform Odia songs to celebrate Sikander Alam’s birth anniversary at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Cuttack, July 30: A group of students of Ravenshaw University today locked the administrative block of the institution for over two hours, protesting against the delay in compensation for a student who met with an accident on July 28.

The agitating students — all boarders of Jagannath Chhatrabas, the only off-campus hostel of Ravenshaw — have been demanding financial assistance for the treatment of the student Mihirkant Rout since his accident last Saturday morning.

A truck ran over Mihirkant’s left foot when he was on his way to the university.

The boarders also staged a demonstration outside the vice-chancellor’s office in the afternoon to press for other demands, including safety provisions and better facilities at their hostel.

“Mihirkant has been admitted to a private nursing home and nearly Rs 1 lakh is needed for his treatment. But his parents have not been able to arrange for the funds. Since the accident took place outside the university, the authorities must help his family,” said Chinmay Das, a third-year BBA student.

Vice-chancellor of the university B.C. Tripathy assured that Mihirkant would receive help. “We have collected Rs 50,000 for Mihirkant’s treatment,” he said.

Earlier, around 50 students had gheraoed the Malgodown police station demanding compensation for Mihirkant and action against the truck driver. They said the lack of restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles on the busy College Square Road had put the lives of students at risk.

Students coming from Jobra and Ranihat ends enter the university campus through the second gate and have to move on the wrong side to save time since the main gate is now being used as an exit-only point.

The students also alleged that varsity authorities have failed to resolve various issues at Jagannath Chhatrabas, which houses nearly 200 boarders.

“We face problems because of waterlogging during monsoons. We don’t have a library, gym and other facilities, which are available in other hostels on the campus,” said Praveen Sahu, another student. University authorities said measures were being taken to resolve the problems of students staying at Jagannath Chhatrabas. The vice-chancellor said efforts had been initiated towards construction of a boundary wall and installation of a motor pump to check waterlogging there.

“Other issues, including sanitation and library facilities, will also be taken up at the earliest,” Tripathy said.