CU students withdraw agitation

The agitating post-graduate students of the Calcutta University withdrew their three-day-long sit-in demonstration this evening after holding talks with the authorities, Vice-Chancellor Sonali Chakraborty Banerjee said.
Of the 78 students of the Bengali department, who do not have adequate attendance, 30 were taking part in the demonstration, demanding permission to appear for the first and third-semester examinations, beginning February 27.
"The 30 agitating students informed me about their decision to lift the sit-in after prolonged talks with me and the Bengali department teachers," the VC told PTI.
It was asserted by the authorities that the cut-off attendance figure of 55 per cent could not be lowered and the students understood this, she said.

Of the 78 students, who were not allowed to sit for the two examinations, some had submitted proof of their hospitalisation when the classes were held and a committee had allowed them to appear for the tests on medical grounds, the VC said.
The VC, who left the campus last night after about 26 hours following the students' stir, came to the campus at 2 pm today and spoke to the agitating students.

She made it clear that the other absentee students would have to skip the first and third semester examinations.
A representative of the agitating students said, "After talking to the VC and the teachers, we are withdrawing the sit-in. We have faith that the VC will ensure that the academic career of all the PG students is safeguarded."

The sit-in was launched at 8 pm on February 20.