Protest erupts in Assam University over irregular power supply; students injured

Guwahati, May 4: Protest erupted in the campus of the Assam Univesity on Monday (May 2) night as students resented irregular power supply ahead of their examinations.

They demanded deferring the examinations scheduled on Tuesday (May 3).

Power supply in the university and some nearby areas became erratic following a series of hailstorms and students residing in areas like Irongmara, Bodojalenga, Chotojalenga and Silcoorie have suffered the most.

Many of them requested the university authorities to postpone the examination from May 3 to anothe date but the authorities did not relent, leading to serious arguments between the students and officials.

But the situation soon turned worse and the protesting students locked the univesity gates on Monday evening. They also stopped a number of students, teaching staff members and non-teaching emnployees from leaving the premises. The magistrate visited the campus aound 10 pm and tried to make peace with the potesters but failed.

Finally, the police were called and they resorted to lathicharge and also fired in the air. Several students were injured.

The protesting students then staged a sit-in demonstration outside the campus on Tuesday. The authorities on Monday had said the students who failed to appear for the examinations will be allowed to take them afresh even though the authorities said they would not be postponed.

A similar students' protest had taken place on April 15 over the demand for regular power supply. On that occasion, they were promised regular power supply with no power cuts for 18 hours a day.

Oneindia News