Sambalpur, Aug. 11: Students of Gangadhar Meher University today boycotted classes in protest against transfer of four teachers.

They locked the varsity entrance and staged a demonstration there. Students' union general secretary Sumeet Patel said: "The university is already reeling from teacher shortage. In such a situation, the government has transferred four teachers. Two teachers have already been relieved while we are yet to get their substitutes. We oppose this decision of transferring teachers without recruiting their relievers."

The agitation today affected the admission process as well. Besides, all other administrative works came to a standstill. The students also staged a short play today themed on the university's plight. "We will also organise a rally tomorrow," said Patel.

The transfer order of the four lecturers was issued on August 3. While two lecturers, each one from the physics and Odia departments, have already been relieved, the authorities are yet to relieve two teachers from chemistry and political science departments.

On August 4, a students' delegation called on vice-chancellor S.S. Rath over the issue.

The institution was upgraded to a university on May 30 last year. At present, it has 58 teachers, including 12 ad-hoc teachers, against a sanctioned strength of 119.

"Instead of filing up the vacant teaching posts, the government transferred four teachers from here," said an agitating student Sandeep Mishra.

Deputy registrar U.C. Pati said: "The students have demanded for filling up of the vacant teaching posts. They have also submitted a memorandum. We will send the memorandum to the government."

"The admission into Plus Three had been affected for a few hours. However, the students refrained from stalling the process after we discussed the matter with them," he said.

Pati also said a students' delegation would discuss the matter with the district collector.