Demand for hostel accommodation: CMCH senior students' fast enters day

Kolkata: Six senior students of the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital were on an indefinite fast for the fourth day today demanding accommodation in the new hostel which is allotted only for first year students.

One of the fasting students fell ill but continued his fast and was under observation and his condition was stable, Sayan Roy, a third year student said.

The fasting students belonged to second, third and fourth year.

Principal Ucchal Bhadra said a meeting was convened among the Principal, the students and the hospital administration to sort out the issue today but there was no breakthrough.

Bhadra said, as per MCI guidelines, freshers and seniors cannot be accommodated in the same hostel to prevent incidents of ragging.

He said the college authorities were ready to address the problem faced by the agitating students.

Arnab Saha, another 4th year student, said only freshers have been allotted rooms in the new hostel building which is "discriminatory".

He said the old hostel building for seniors was in a run-down condition and there was space for seniors in the new hostel building.

On July 5, the senior students had gheraoed the principal. However, the gherao was withdrawn after the police were called.