VISAKHAPATNAM : Protesting the shifting of Kapparada ST hostel to Pendurthi, around 50 boarders on Monday staged a dharna near the collectorate. The government decided to shift the hostel to a new premises with better accommodation in Pendurthi after the students have held many protests recently over the poor facilities in the hostel. But the students denounced the decision saying that they were being pushed away from the city.
As many as 150 students from tribal areas who are pursuing education at various Intermediate, degree, ITI and Polytechnic colleges in the city are living in the Kapparada ST hostel.
“Time will be wasted if the hostel is shifted to Pendurthi. Staying away from the city will deprive us of quick access to many essential facilities like the libraries and hospitals,” the protesters said. Reaffirming their opposition to moving to a new hostel building, the students demanded that the government provide basic amenities in the Kapparada hostel building instead.
According to the boarders, the Kapparada hostel lacks basic facilities like pure drinking water and hygienic wash rooms. They also complained of the poor quality food being served at the hostel and sought immediate solutions to the problems.