Inmates of Adi Dravidar Welfare Students Hostel at Raja Colony in the city staged a road blockade in front of the collectorate on Thursday protesting over poor amenities at the hostel. They made a slew of complaints, including inadequate water supply, poor sanitation in toilets, and poor quality of food. Seventy-three school students and 86 college students are lodging at the hostel.
Although District Revenue Officer K.Tharbagaraj held talks with them, the students insisted on an audience with the Collector. Collector Jayashree Muralidharan later heard their grievances and visited the hostel for firsthand information. She assured the students that their grievances would be addressed and the shortcomings in amenities would be rectified. She ordered the replacement of fans in the rooms. Later in the day, based on her direction, corporation workers took up a cleaning drive on the hostel campus.
Ms. Muralidharan also ordered issue of photo identity cards to the inmates as some students were found staying illegally. Henceforth, only bonafide inmates with the ID cards will be allowed inside. Action would be taken against students and the warden if outsiders were found staying at the hostel, she cautioned.
