Presidency Vice Chancellor 'Held Captive' by Protesting Students

Kolkata, West Bengal: The Vice Chancellor of Presidency University, Anuradha Lohia remains surrounded in her office by protesting students since last evening, who are demanding her resignation over allegations of police assault on them. The convocation ceremony of the University is scheduled for this evening, but the continuing deadlock has put a question mark on the ceremony being held.

Yesterday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee was shown black flags by a section of students when she visited the campus. Students allege that the police manhandled them after Ms Banerjee left.

"Eight of us were injured... We told the VC of whatever has happened but she is not willing to accept that the police thrashed us. We seek an apology from the police and the resignation of our VC for non-action," said a student leader.  

General Secretary of the students' union, Trisha Chanda said, "It is not just about the police assault on our students, but the VC has failed on a number of accounts in the past also. So we have decided to not let her leave the campus till she resigns."

The Registrar and other senior officials were present with Ms Lohia as the students did not allow them to leave Vice Chancellor's office since Friday evening, and her office has been filled with anti-administration slogan and posters.

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"Let them boycott but we will give degrees to our students. We have not done anything wrong to them. On the other hand we have always worked hard to take Presidency to newer heights... These are only a small group of students," said Ms Lohia.

Even though the administration is confident of organising a smooth ceremony, the protests have taken the sheen off the state-run University's third convocation.

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