By Poulami Roy
KOLKATA: Aliah University officials cut off electricity and water connection to the girls’ and boys’ hostels on Thursday apparently in a bid to force boarders to vacate the buildings. Many boarders are taking online exams.
The move drew the ire of students, most of them from outside the state and some Bangladesh, and flak from activists who pointed to court orders against severing electric and water connections.
When power was switched off, practical exams for MCA was reportedly on. MCA 2nd year student Mehedi Hassan said, “I’m from Bangladesh. It is impossible for me to return now. At present, more than 30 borders are in the boys’ hostel. I have a practical exam on Friday.” The authorities said they had asked the borders several times to vacate the hostel. The state had stated if borders could not return, hostel authorities would have to take care of them. But Kazi Alfred, hostel chairman, said, “Who will take the responsibility if someone gets infected and then it spreads?”
