KU students observe bandh, tension prevails

Warangal: Tension prevailed at Kakatiya University here on Thursday following a 'KU Bandh' call given by the university students who were protesting privatization of hostel mess.

A group of students under the aegis of Kakatiya University Research Scholars Association (KURSA) and Students JAC have locked the mess and the university gates while a research scholar A Yakaiah of commerce department took up indefinite strike.

This incident has brought the hostel privatization issues into the limelight once again. It might be noted that ever since the university authorities have decided to privatise the common mess; a group of students opposing the privatisation of the mess have been at loggerheads with the officials.

It was learnt that some of the senior professors who were not in good terms with the Vice-Chancellor Prof. B Venkat Rathnam provoking the students to agitate to put the VC under pressure.A The research scholar Yakaiah claimed that he was on Wednesday allegedly manhandled by the mess staff when he went to the mess to question about the poor quality of the food.

Following this he took up indefinite hunger strike and the students who angered at the alleged manhandling incident forced bandh on the campus on Thursday. A demonstration at the mess was also held by the research scholar and his supporters.A Registrar Prof A Sayulu, KU University College Principal Prof. N Ramaswamy held discussions with the protesting students and finally made them to give up their protest.

When contacted KU Vice-Chancellor Venkat Rathnam said the issue was resolved. A section of employees were provoking the students at to demand withdrawal of privatisation of hostel mess, he said.

The privatization of the mess was under taken with an intention to provide quality food to the students and to save their money. Nearly one crore rupees were saved so far with the decision and hence there was no question of withdrawing the privatization move, he said.