Strike enters eighth day at Pondicherry University

The indefinite strike by students of Pondicherry University demanding the removal of Vice-Chancellor Chandra Krishnamurthy entered the eighth day on Monday with political parties, including the Congress and BJP, extending support to the striking students.
Leader of Opposition V. Vaithilingam, Pradesh Congress Committee president A. Namassivayam, former Minister M.O.H.F. Shahjahan, and National Students Union of India (NSUI) secretary Sarath participated in the strike and condemned the police lathi-charge on students.
Genuine demands
PCC president A. Namassivayam said that the demands of the students were genuine and urged the Centre to settle the issue soon.
All the cases against the striking students must be withdrawn and the Government should take stringent action against police personnel who were responsible for the lathi charge.
Mr. Namassivayam said the high command had been apprised of the recent developments in the University. The VC has been embroiled in several controversies and should be immediately removed, he said.
Intervention of Centre
The Centre should intervene and take action failing which the Congress would launch a stir, he said.
Meanwhile, the general body meeting of the Pondicherry University Teachers Association, at its specially convened general body meeting, condemned the lathi charge and demanded a judicial probe into the incident.
Though the VC was embroiled in several controversies no action had been taken against her so far and she was protected by powerful forces, PUTA said.
A spokesman of PUTA said that a few staff members who are supporting the VC assaulted the students including girls who were on a peaceful protest.
While a section of them attacked from behind, the police lathi charged the students from the main gate without any provocation that too well within the campus. The general secretary of PUTA was also picked up by the police and forcibly taken to the police station.
The University administration should condemn the atrocity and explain how the administration permitted the police to enter the campus. The complaints of students and faculty members are not registered by the police.
'PUTA condemns violence
PUTA also condemned the violence unleashed against some students in the hostel by hired goons.
A section of faculty members and non-teaching staff are also trying to suppress the students movement.