Students Lock Gates at Central University of Odisha in Protest Over Unmet Demands
Koraput: Tension gripped the Central University of Odisha (CUO) in Sunabeda on Friday as students locked the main gate, barring staff entry in a forceful demonstration. The protest erupted over the university's failure to address a nine-point charter of demands, highlighting long-standing grievances affecting academic and campus life.
Agitation and Key Demands
The agitation commenced around 10 am, with a large assembly of students gathering at the main entrance to stage a vocal demonstration. As part of their protest, they secured the gate and chanted slogans, urging immediate intervention from university authorities. The students cited several critical issues, including:
- Timely publication of examination results across various departments, which has caused significant anxiety among students planning for higher studies and competitive exams.
- Persistent Wi-Fi connectivity problems disrupting academic activities and research.
- Installation of smart boards in classrooms to enhance teaching and learning experiences.
- Improvement in overall campus cleanliness and maintenance, with reports of poor hygiene and inadequate upkeep in multiple areas.
One protesting student emphasized, "On several occasions, we have raised these issues, but they are yet to be sorted out," reflecting widespread frustration over the lack of resolution.
Impact and Resolution
The protest continued for several hours, drawing attention to the students' plight before being called off later in the day. According to reports, the agitation was withdrawn after university authorities provided assurances that the issues would be seriously examined and necessary steps taken promptly to resolve them. However, efforts to reach vice-chancellor (in-charge) NC Panda for comments remained unanswered, leaving some uncertainty about the timeline for action.
This incident underscores ongoing challenges in higher education institutions, where student concerns over infrastructure and administrative delays can escalate into disruptive protests. The Central University of Odisha now faces pressure to deliver on its promises to restore normalcy and address the core demands affecting its student community.
