Visva Bharati University gherao lifted

SANTINIKETAN: Visva Bharati students, who had gheraoed three senior university officials since last evening in protest against a proposed hike in hostel charges, ended their protest today.

The proctor Samit Roy, registrar D Gunasekharan and Pro VC of the Central University Swapan Dutta were forced to stay inside the proctor's office since last evening by a group of protesting students, according to a University official.

The students had initially gheraoed the proctor, Samit Roy, in his office since 3 PM yesterday.

When the Registrar D Gunasekharan entered the proctor's office in the evening he too was held up by the agitating students.

Pro VC Swapan Dutta met with a similar fate when he went there.

After the gherao was lifted, the three officials came out of the building, the official said.

The university officials will address the media later in the day.

An agitating student had charged that, "The overall condition of the hostels is very bad. But the university authority is indifferent. Moreover, they are trying to increase the charges."

The proctor said, "To run the hostels we need some money. In comparison to the expenditure that we incur, it is minimum. We are ready to discuss the matter with the students."