About 15 students who are members of the Students Federation of India were taken away by the police when they tried to enter the Collectorate premises here on Monday to meet the Collector on the problems being faced in Government hostels.
The students came to express their solidarity with the 38 students who had launched an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Collectorate three days ago. When they were all not allowed inside the Collectorate, the students tried to force their way inside and were restrained by the police. The students were taken away to the police station.
The students who were on fast refused to get examined by doctors from the King George Hospital and also to sent a representative to the Collector, in protest against the police taking away the students who called on them and wanted to meet the Collector. SFI leader B. Jagan said the police treated the students as goondas and restrained them while politicians and others were allowed entry without any hindrance.
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Efforts by the police to persuade the Students Federation of India leaders to meet the Collector failed.
The SFI while demanding introduction of menu in all hostels and release of last year’s and this year’s fee and scholarship, listed a number of provisions to be made in different hostels in the district, like provision of safe drinking water and running water; one latrine and bathroom for every 10 students along with continuous supply of water and additional rooms, among others.