Students on rampage after rejection of medical entrance forms

Students were angry over rejection of over 1,000 forms which reached the university after the last date of submission of applications on April 11.

University sources said the forms were rejected as they reached after the last date, while the aggrieved students rued that they were not at all at fault as the delay was due to postal problems.

With their academic career in jeopardy, the students residing in Kakadev area, which is the hub of coaching centres for CPMT entrance examination, offered dharna and destroyed government and private properties in Geeta Nagar and also on the GT road yesterday. Even today they attacked a private hospital in Kakadev area but were chased away by the police.

An FIR was lodged today against 150 students under different sections of IPC and over a dozen protesters have been apprehended. Police said some students and constables were injured while dispersing the mob yesterday.

"We dispatched the forms on April 7 by the speed post. But to our dismay, the forms didn't reach the university in time. It is unfortunate that after spending so much of money and time, we will not be able to appear in the exam. Our hard work has been wasted," lamented Vipin Singh, a candidate. However, Post Master General of Kanpur General Post Office (GPO) Ram Bharosa said he was not aware of any such delay.

"No one has approached us till now. We will conduct an inquiry if there is a complaint in this regard," he said. Meanwhile, District Magistrate Hari Om appealed to the protesting candidates not to take law into their hands and assured them that the issue would be resolved soon.

"I have full sympathies with the students and have apprised UP Principal Secretary (Health) Kapil Dev of their problems and he will discuss the matter with the university. "All the necessary steps will be taken to solve their problems," he added.