CUK students call off week-long agitation

The week-long relay hunger strike by students of the Central University of Kerala’s (CUK) Periye campus was called off following talks the authorities had with the students’ representatives on Tuesday.

The talks, chaired by Vice Chancellor G. Gopakumar in the presence of District Collector K. Jeevanbabu and senior university officials, lasted over three hours.

Hostel issues

The students were on strike raising various hostel-related issues and against moves to suspend the services of 16-odd cooks who were taking care of the food requirements of students in two women’s hostels and a men’s hostel.

Dr. Gopakumar explained the administrative constraints in violating the UGC norms and promised to recruit three cooks on a permanent basis for the benefit of research students during the summer vacation.

On the issue of limiting hostel facility for research students to four years, Dr. Gopakumar promised that a decision would be taken after convening the academic council meeting.

The authorities urged the students to shoulder the expenses for appointing new cooks on a temporary basis.

According to university sources, the strike was called off after the authorities, assisted by the Collector, managed to convince the students of the possible difficulties in flouting the UGC norms.

Class boycotted

The students had boycotted classes on Monday to extend solidarity with the agitating students.