Students lift fast, but to continue strike

Students in front of the Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College on Monday. Picture by Biplab Basak

TT, Jalpaiguri: The agitating students of Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College on Monday withdrew the ongoing fast but decided to continue with the strike to demand the removal of a faculty member.

"We have withdrawn the hunger strike for one day but the strike will continue. On Sunday, state (tourism) minister Gautam Deb had come here and assured us that a committee would be formed to probe the entire issue and hence, we took the decision. But we have learnt that police cases have been filed against some of us. So, we will continue the strike," said Shahin Sharif, a second-year student.

He spoke to the media on behalf of the agitators and said they had sent an e-mail to state education minister Partha Chatterjee, seeking intervention.

Even on Monday, the students did not allow anybody to enter the college. However, the grocery was allowed to be taken to the hostels.

Since March 15, a section of senior students has been on the strike, demanding removal of faculty member Dipak Kumar Kole.

On the other hand, a section of first-year students -most of them are staying out of the hostels now - have alleged that some second-year students had ragged them.

Kole, who is a member of the anti-ragging committee, went to inquire into the issue.

Those who were involved in ragging apprehended stern steps by Kole and the college authorities and hence resorted to the strike to convolute the issue, the freshers allege.

During the agitation, 13 first-year students have filed complaints with the police, alleging ragging, assault and intimidation by a section of seniors. Also, the father of a first-year student has filed a separate complaint, making similar allegations.

"Based on the complaints, cases have been registered against 24 students who are in second, third and fourth years of their courses at the institution. We have started investigation," said Amitabha Maiti, the superintendent of police, Jalpaiguri.

Charges under the West Bengal Prohibition of Ragging in Educational Institutions Act and some sections of the IPC, including 307 (attempt to murder) and 506 (criminal intimidation) have been brought against them, police sources said.