Jharsuguda: Sept 21 [UDN}:An indefinite hunger strike launched by the Students’ Front along with several organisational groups over various demands concerning the development of education and the interests of students in Jharsuguda district entered its third day on Thursday.
The protest is being staged in front of the Jharsuguda District Collector’s Office under the leadership of Students’ Front president Asim Patel, organisational secretary Jitendra Dhurua and general secretary Sambit Naik. The agitation has received support from people and representatives of different sections of society.
Among the major demands raised by the protesters are the conversion of Laxmi Narayan Mahavidyalaya into a government college, the transformation of Jharsuguda Engineering College into an engineering college, and the establishment of a government degree college in the remote 19-Mouza area of the district.
As part of the agitation, members and supporters also organised a rally through Jharsuguda town before continuing their indefinite hunger strike outside the Collector’s Office.
Several political, student, tribal, labour, environmental and social activists visited the protest site and expressed solidarity with the agitating students. Those extending support included Jharsuguda Municipality Deputy Chairperson Benugopal Panigrahi, SFI national general secretary Sajjan Bhattacharya, Students’ Front adviser and leader of the Sammilita Adivasi Samaj Ramukar Pradhan, tribal leader Prabhakar Oram, former Brajarajnagar Assembly president of the Students’ Congress Mahesh Pradhan, former Jharsuguda District Congress president Siaram Das, Progressive Workers’ Forum leader Subanti Khadia, environmental activist Satyanarayan Rao, social activist Gyanendra Behera, student leader Soubhagya Rohidas, young lawyer Ahuti Sahu, social activist Tarani Budha and Rabindra Sohela, among others.
The supporters said the demands raised by the Students’ Front were linked to the expansion of higher-education opportunities in Jharsuguda district and the academic interests of local students. They stressed the need for an early resolution of the issues so that students in different parts of the district can have better access to higher education.
The protesters have continued their indefinite hunger strike, demanding action on the educational issues and implementation of the measures sought by the student organisation.
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