Batch of 50 students allocated rooms in renovated Hindu Hostel

Over 50 boarders of Presidency University on Wednesday became the first batch to be allocated rooms in the Hindu Hostel, the over 130-year-old accommodation that was under renovation for three years.

A university spokesman said the batch of students were allocated rooms on Wednesday, and others will be alloted within a few days.

One of the students, however, said there was resentment among a section after they found out that a few rooms on the first floor were "locked" and reserved for first-year students.

"We are against any division among students. We will also protest if our friends of the institute, who are non-boarders, are stopped from entering the hostel as stated by the authorities," the student, Sayan, said.

The spokesman said all issues will be sorted out in the hostel welfare board meeting in the next one-two days. "But, there are certain security aspects which cannot be compromised," he said.

He added that some of the rooms were kept aside for first-year students, and some for second-third year boarders so that every student could be given allotment in a fair manner.

The state Public Works Department (PWD), which had undertaken the renovation work, gave clearance for two wards of the hostel on Monday.

A section of students had been on agitation for immediate accommodation in the hostel since August 3.

The Hindu Hostel building, located adjacent to the university, was shut down for repairs since July, 2015 and the boarders were shifted to a rented accommodation at New Town as a makeshift arrangement.