HP University Closed. Students Hunger For Classes

Himachal Pradesh University was shut down on Monday owing to a day-long-strike called by various students outfits over the recommendation made by colleges to discontinue direct elections for the student's union. Around 1,00,000 students had to miss their classes.

The strike was held after the call was given jointly by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarathi Parishad (ABVP), National Students Union of India (NSUI) and Students Federation of India (SFI) after college head asked Vice-Chancellor A.D.N.Bajpai to disallow direct polls for the Students Central Association.

SBVP's State Secretary Ajay Bherta said "The shutdown was complete in all private and government affiliated colleges. Even in the Himachal Pradesh University campus, the strike was complete". The joint co-ordination committee of student's organizations has also threatened to intensify their agitations if the dates of the Student Central Association polls were not declared immediately.

No incident of violence was reported from anywhere in the state during the shutdown. A university spokesperson on Monday said Vice-Chancellor Bajpai discussed the issue with the students and the final decision on the polls would be taken in the executive council meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday.