Date:13/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/13/stories/2008081357670300.htm

Other States - Orissa

AIDSO members launch hunger strike

Staff Reporter

— Photo: Lingaraj Panda

In agitation Mode: Activists of the DSO staging a demonstration in front of the Khallikote Autonomous College in Berhampur on Tuesday.

BERHAMPUR: Members of the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation

(AIDSO) of Khallikote Autonomous College in the city sat on hunger strike in front of the college gate on Tuesday for four demands.

They also handed over a memorandum with the list of their demands to the principal of the college. Sibani Sankar Mishra, the president of the AIDSO unit of the college said through this token hunger strike they wanted to build up consciousness of the students towards some extreme needs of the institution.

The agitating students wanted an over bridge to connect the main building of the college with the junior college and sports stadium of the institute.

The NH-217 passes between these two buildings of the college. During rush hour the students crossing the highway to travel from one part of the college to the other are always prone to accidents. So, the students wanted an over bridge to connect both parts of the college to streamline traffic flow on the high way in the area and to save students from accidents. They also demanded the institute to fill up all vacancies in the institute by permanent staff rather than contractual lecturers. They were opposed to self-financing courses being started in the institute in collaboration with private organisations.