Bhubaneswar: Students of the Rama Devi Women's University on Monday blocked Janpath, demanding retention of the autonomous status for the varsity's Plus Two and Plus Three colleges.

Their demand also included setting up of a second campus at the earliest. More than hundred students locked the main gate of the varsity and sat on a dharna to press for their demands.

They also blocked the main road in front of the university, following which many vehicles were left stranded on the road between Vani Vihar Square and Master Canteen Square. They had a minor scuffle with police when the latter tried to clear the road by dispersing them.

They met higher education minister on Monday morning and said they were not satisfied with his respond.

Later, they had a meeting with officials of the chief minister's office, who had assured them of taking steps at the earliest - following which the students called off the strike.

"They have told us that they will have discussion with the higher education department and look into the matter. We will keep following it up," said students' union president of the college Souvagya Soumyashree Samal.

"We want that the college should function under Rama Devi University instead of merging it," she said.

Police personnel were deployed at the place of protest to avoid any untoward incidents. However, the students said they would begin the agitation again if their demands were not fulfilled.

The Rama Devi Women's Autonomous College was upgraded to the Rama Devi Women's University on May 30, 2015.

However, problems continued to persist as the varsity's present campus is too constricted for development.

"Lands have been identified for the second campus, and things will take shape shortly. This will be finalised in month or two while the demand to retain the autonomous status for the colleges needed to be discussed at a higher level," said the varsity's PG council chairman Sitanshu Kumar Dash.

In another development, students of College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar also staged protests in front of their colleges, demanding varsity status to the college.