Institute seeks govt help to quell students' protest

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 17: Having failed to control the students’ agitation which began since Saturday night over the issue of confirmation of placement for all students, the authorities of the Malda Institute of Management and Professional Studies today sought administrative help to sort out the stalemate. The district administrative officials today visited the campus and approached the students to vacate the campus temporarily and invited their representatives to attend a meeting convened by the administration on 24 September on this issue. The college authorities yesterday issued notice to vacate the campus for repairing damaged assets of the institution, including the table chair glass windows. On Saturday night hundreds of angry students led by a group of third year students ransacked the furniture in the campus where valuable documents were set on fire. They decided not to leave the campus at present without the assurance of 100 per cent job placement. Ignoring police interference, the students have planned to organise Biwakarma Puja in the campus here. The helpless management allowed them to hold the puja within the hostel fearing fresh violence.The students led by their seniors attacked the police after lathicharge on Saturday night to rescue the chairman of the college, who was confined by them. Today evening immediate steps were sought to avoid ragging through out the night. The administrative officer of the college, Mr. Manik Chakraborty, lodged a written complaint with the Sub Divisional Officer Ms Arunima De saying that the senior students have brought all the first year boys and girls to the hostel campus from their separate lodgings located outside the campus. Mr. Chakraborty said: “The senior students are forcing the first year ones to join the agitation and stay in the campus hostel. The first year students have been forced to work for the Biswakarma puja tonight”. “One of them fled from the hostel and informed the management,” Mr Chakraborty said. It may be noted that following the court order, the college authorities had arranged for separate hostel facilities for boys and girls outside of the campus. At present more than 275 students are in the campus hostel to continue their agitation. The college authorities said that no one can provide 100 per cent placement for all the students”. Out of 250 4th year students, 50 have got placement. “We are trying hard to arrange placements for 3rd year students next time. results and merit.”, Mr. Chakraborty said.