Adamant CUK forces students to move HRC

Kasargod: The students of the Central University of Kerala (CUK) who have launched an agitation on the main campus at Periye near here demanding adequate hostel facilities have sought an early intervention by the State human rights commission as the university authorities refuse to acknowledge the issue.

The students on Friday petitioned the HRC detailing the plight of students including those from backward communities who are forced to look for alternate accommodation. They have pointed out that some of them will be forced to leave the course.

Speaking to DC, the students’ representatives said the petition mentioned the decision of the university to increase the intake to various courses without ensuring hostel facilities. “We are continuing our protests by taking classes to student groups and by camping on the main campus,” they said. Students are on protest from Tuesday onwards demanding adequate hostel facilities by occupying the campus buildings and refusing to go back to hostels. The university has suspended the classes indefinitely following the protest.

Meanwhile, university registrar Dr. A.Radhakrishnan Nair  issued a release explaining the university stand on the issue. “At present 1,412 students are studying in the university of which 638 have hostel facilities, which amounts 45 per cent of the total student population,” he said. “Comparing to other universities started functioning at the same time as that of the CUK, it is the highest among all. Apart from it, Rs 12 crore has been sanctioned from the OBC development fund of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Rs 3 crore has already been handed over to the CUK.” The registrar added that the university has received sanction order of funds for a 400 –bed hostels from both OBC and SC funds and the work would start soon.” He said the HRD departments’ sanction is needed to take building on rent to accommodate the students.