Puducherry students intensify stir;demand HRD ministry remove VC

Intensifying their week old agitation, students of Pondicherry University today demanded the HRD Ministry should immediately remove Vice Chancellor Chandra Krishnamoorthy, alleging there has been "administrative chaos" and "violation of human rights".

Student leaders, who addressed protestors, said their stir was to draw the attention of the HRD Ministry to their demand and initiate steps to remove the VC.

The agitation was launched by 'Pondicherry University Students Movement', who have drawn up a charter of demands. They alleged that there was lack of adequate hostels, no drinking water and also other amenities.

Students also alleged that there was "administrative chaos" and "violation of human rights".

Police were deployed in strength at the University to ensure there was no untoward situation.

Leaders of the opposition Congress like V Vaithilingam, former Education Minister M O H F Shahjahan and Secretary of National Students Union of India S Sarath have expressed solidarity with the students by sitting along with them for a while and then addressing them.

Namassivayam, a PCC leader, said the students' demands were justified and should be conceded immediately. He said he had been keeping AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi apprised of the developments and urged him to take up their demands with the Centre.

He also objected to last week's lathicharge of students, in which a number of students were reportedly injured and demanded that the government take action against the police officers responsible.

He also alleged that police were filing false cases against students and those supporting their grievances and said these should be withdrawn.

NSUI National Secretary S Sarath and former Education Minister Shah Jahan also addressed the students and promised them that their grievances would be settled soon.

A delegation of the local unit of BJP, led by its General Secretary V Swaminathan addressed the students and pledged support to them.

University staff could not proceed on their two wheelers inside the premises and had to park their vehicles outside.

University officials told PTI that the Vice Chancellor was not able to turn up at her office ever since the protest broke out on July 27.

She is keeping indoors in her official residence in the vicinity of the university, they said.