Vice chancellor, officials confined in office overnight in Bengal

Kolkata, April 26 (IANS) The vice-chancellor of the Aliah University and other officials had to spend the whole of Wednesday night confined in an office of the university's Salt lake campus as hundreds of students demanding upgradation of the existing infrastructure forcibly prevented their exit.

After an ordeal of nearly 24 hours, the officials were rescued by police Thursday.

The university authorities said the students also disconnected the electricity and water connection to the office and tried to lock them from outside.

The students have been demanding appointment of more faculty members, better library and laboratory facilities and upgradation of the university's existing infrastructure. They insisted that the protest would not be lifted unless the authorities agree to their demands and give a written undertaking.

"How can I give in writing when the new campus of the university will come up or agree to their demands that every student will get a scholarship?" Vice Chancellor Shamshul Alam said.

Admitting inadequacy of teachers and infrastructure, Alam said the university was trying to upgrade the facilities including appointment of new teachers.

"The students have to understand that unlike others, this university was set up recently," he said.

The students, on the other hand, complained that the university authorities have not paid any heed to their repeated requests for upgrading the varsity's infrastructure.

The university, which started its academic activities in 2008 and runs various undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, has about 2,000 students.

It has been conferred the status of a minority educational institution, under the department of madrasah education and minority development.