Tech college stalemate continues

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 26: The stalemate surrounding placement of students studying at the Institute of Management and Professional Studies, a private engineering college here, is yet to be resolved.Classes were suspended at the IMPS following students' agitation on 17 September. The students were allegedly asked to vacate their hostel rooms. Though the Malda district administration had planned to hold talks with the students' representatives and the management of the college on 24 September to resolve the dispute, the meeting was not held. The administrative officer of the college, Mr Manik Chakraborty, said: "The meeting was cancelled because the students failed to vacate their hostel rooms within the stipulated time. We have now requested the district administration to hold the meeting on 28 September."According to college authorities, nearly 200 students are still staying at the hostel. Most of the first year and second year students, meanwhile, have left the hostel. The fourth year students started leaving for their homes today, they said. It may be recalled that on 16 September, the third year students of the college, including girls, started agitation demanding hundred percent placement. They allegedly confined the chairman of the college, Mr Bablu Bhattacharya, for a long time in his chamber. Later, a clash broke out between the police and students.