Post News Network
Cuttack, Jan 6: The agitation launched by Sailabala Women’s College students seeking autonomous status for the institution gathered momentum with their protest entering the second day Tuesday.
Hundreds of students staged a road blockade outside the college main entrance.
Later, the agitating students laid siege to the collectorate and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister and higher education minister. They have threatened to intensify the agitation if their demand was not met at the earliest, sources said.
Students alleged that the college has become a victim of government apathy despite being the oldest women’s college in the state. Set up in 1913, the college has carved a niche for imparting quality education to students.
However, the 102-year-old institution does not have adequate infrastructure, hostels, teaching staff and fully equipped laboratories. The government has shown little interest to give the much needed boost to the college, alleged students.
While the state government accorded varsity status to a 50-year-old Rama Devi Women’s College, its dillydallying attitude to give university accreditation to the 102-year-old institution is regretful, students lamented.
Sailabala college cannot run under Rama Devi Women’s college after the latter gets varsity tag, said the agitators adding that they would continue their stir till the government accords autonomous status to it.
The memorandum submitted to collector also urged the Chief Minister to provide adequate infrastructure to the
college.