University students stage protest

Seeking the arrest of a man who is accused of unruly behaviour on Mangalore University campus, students boycotted classes and staged a protest in front of the Administrative Block of the university on Thursday.

The protesters demanded stern action against the perverted act.

Four girl students were returning to the women’s hostel on the campus in Konaje on Wednesday. On the way, a stranger, who had come on a luxury motorbike, stood on a narrow road near Kannada Department and allegedly made vulgar gestures, before the girl students. When the students complained with the security personnel about the incident, the stranger fled from the spot on his motorbike.

The students submitted a complaint to the University officials on the same evening. However, the accused was not nabbed until the next morning. The students boycotted the classes and gathered in front of the administrative block, staging a protest and urged the vice chancellor to come to the spot.

The students withdrew the protest at 1.30 pm after in-charge vice chancellor Dr Kishor Kumar assured them of doing the needful. He said he had been to Udupi on an official duty. “The university administration has considered the case seriously. A complaint will be submitted to Konaje police station. Also, CCTV footage at the spot of the incident, have been collected,” the VC said.

ACP A Rama Rao arrived at the protest venue and assured the students of arresting the accused.

Speaking to DH, University Registrar (Evaluation) Prof A M Khan said that a case has been registered at Konaje police station and the CCTV footage is being verified.

Some girl students complained that those who carry out library work, return to the hostel by 7.30 pm. But, there are no street lights on the way, which has been causing inconvenience to the students.