Students continue agitation as Lohia seeks 4-5 months more to hand over renovated Hindu Hostel

Kolkata: Presidency University Vice-Chancellor Anuradha Lohia on Monday sought another four to five months from the students to hand over the Hindu Hostel after renovation. Meanwhile, the students have decided to continue their agitation in demand of the hostel and claimed that they will turn the university into a hostel and will stay there until they are handed over the renovated hostel.

Lohia, who faced protest from the agitating students while entering the varsity, said that the Public Works Department (PWD) of the state government has not been able to complete the renovation work in time. The V-C had promised to open the Hindu Hostel for students by July 15.

"I apologise for the delay in handing over the hostel to the students. The day PWD completes the work for renovation, the hostel will be handed over to the students," Lohia said. She also reiterated that the university authorities will not compromise with the safety of the students while renovation of the hostel. The agitating students said that they will bring all their belongings from their hostel at Tarulia in New Town and will turn the university into their hostel.

"We will be studying here and will stay here overnight," an agitating student said. Clothes belonging to the students were found hanging in front of the room of the V-C on Monday. It may be mentioned that Hindu Hostel has been closed for renovation since July 2015 and the students were offered hostel facilities at New

Town.

The V-C on Thursday brought out a notification, declaring the delay in handing over the hostel. She also stated that a committee has been formed with as many as six student representatives in it, for supervising the renovation work for the hostel.

The students had started their agitation from Friday at the administrative building of the university.