Rama Devi students stage demonstration, block main road

Bhubaneswar: Traffic movement on the main road connecting Vani Vihar and Master Canteen was disrupted today after students of the Rama Devi (RD) Women's University blocked road demanding retention of autonomous status for the varsity's Plus-II and Plus-III colleges.

Holding placards and shouting slogans, the students blocked the road by burning tyres. The students argued that Rama Devi was famous as a college and the Plus-II and Plus-III students are its identity. However, the State  government has decided to separate the Plus-II and Plus-III colleges after it was declared a university, the students alleged.

Earlier in the day, the students locked the main gate of the university and sat on a dharna. A police team led by the Sahid Nagar Police station IIC reached the spot and assured the agitating students that their demands will be taken into consideration after a discussion with the Higher Education Minister.

"We are not satisfied with the reply of the Higher Education Secretary. Hence, we don't have any trust on the concerned department. Since Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has always pitched for women empowerment, we hope that he will look into the matter and take steps accordingly," said an agitating student.

Police personnel were deployed at the place of protest to avoid any untoward incident during the protest.

However, the agitating students have threatened that they would continue their stir in front of the college gate until and unless their demands is fulfilled.