ROURKELA: The students of Government-run Utkalmani Homeopathy Medical College and Hospital (UHMCH) here launched an indefinite strike on Monday protesting the poor state of affairs of the institution.
The agitators, comprising 106 students, from first to final year of the course locked the administrative block and staged a dharna in front of main entrance. Their demands include immediate recruitment of qualified faculty members, regular holding of clinical classes, adequate equipment and facilities in laboratories and remedial measures for effective management of UHMCH.
Students claimed that they have paid caution money, but are deprived of medical practice at Rourkela Government Hospital. Though money is charged for equipment, they are not given any during practicals. While permanent faculty seldom take classes, 11 guest lecturers too have been detached without alternative arrangement.
The agitation would continue till the director of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Odisha, personally takes stock of the situation, the students said. Principal, UHMCH, Dr SK Rout is on leave and was unavailable for comment.
Sambalpur University StudentsLock administrative block
Sambalpur: Students of Sambalpur University locked the administrative block of the institution on Monday protesting lack of basic facilities in the campus. Owing to the protest, official works were affected. Lecturers of several colleges affiliated to Sambalpur University, who had come to the university to deposit Plus Three final year examination forms, had to go back disappointed. The students were demanding infrastructure development of the library, strengthening of security on the university premises and provision of quality food in the hostels, among other things. The students’ union president, Manas Ranjan Bharas said space constraint is the biggest problem that students face in the library. At one time, only 30 students can be accommodated in the library, which also lacks adequate number of books. The students demanded that more space should be created in the library and study hours be extended till late evening. This apart, the students said installation of more light posts in the campus is necessary for security of students. Apparently, although the students had apprised the university administration of their demands several times in the past, the latter did not pay any heed. Students withdrew the agitation after VC CR Tripathy and registrar Meghnad Naik assured that steps would be taken to resolve their problems.