Forest college and research Insitute closed indefinitely following a dharna by students

COIMBATORE: The Forest College and Research Institute ( FCRI) was closed indefinitely following the sit-in dharna by students, demanding that they be given preference in appointment of foresters and rangers.

Over 200 students, including 63 girls, had boycotted classes yesterday, squatted on the campus and raised slogans in support of their long pending demand, demanding preference to them in appointment of rangers and foresters and also forest-department related jobs.

Considering the situation, the FCRI Management ordered indefinite closure of the college, asked students to vacate hostels and also closed the canteen, sources in the Agricultural University, to which FCRI is affiliated, said.

The students, braving biting cold, squatted on the campus, along with their belonging, all through last night.

As part of their agitation, which entered the second day today, the students, in their novel protest, tied rakhis to the trees in the campus, to show their bondage with the nature, police said.