Students' strike in Bengal

Kolkata, Aug 14 (UNI) Most of the educational institutions in West Bengal remained closed today following a strike by the CPI(M)-backed Students Federation of India(SFI) while the rival Chhatra Parishad observed a 'black day' in protest against the death of Bengal Engineering and Science University(BESU) student Soumik Basu during a campus violence.

Official sources said classes were not held in schools, colleges and universities in most parts of the state because of the strike call. However, school and university examinations, exempted from under the purview of the bandh, were held.

The SFI had demanded a probe into the student's death and punishment of those responsible for the incident.

Supporters of Chhatra Parishad, a frontal wing of the Congress, wore black badges to register their protest. A silent procession, led by West Bengal Pradesh Congress Working President Pradip Bhattacharjee and other senior leaders, was also taken out in the city.

The sources said no reports of untoward incidents had been reported from any part of the state in connection with the programmes of two rival students organisations.

Soumik, who remained in coma for four days after being injured during clashes between supporters of SFI and the rival Independent Consolidation(IC) inside the BESU campus on August seven, died in hospital on August 12.

Meanwile, police and Rapid Action Force(RAF) personnel remained in strength in the BESU campus though most of the students vacated hostel rooms following an order of the authority.

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