The indefinite hunger strike by the students of Calcutta Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), demanding accommodation in a new hostel building, entered its 13th day on July 22 even as the Director of Medical Education (DME) and the new officiating principal appealed to the students to end the stir.
 

Assuring the students that appropriate measures were being taken to improve and renovate the hostel rooms, a media statement signed by the DME, Prof Dr Debashis Bhattacharya, today requested them to withdraw the hunger strike. In his written appeal, the new officiating principal Ashok Bhadra told reporters today, he has also informed the students about the proceedings of yesterday's meeting on the issue with the DME, the student representatives and heads of different departments.

The strike over hostel rooms were initiated by six students on July 10 after the authorities at the state-run college notified that the new 11-storey building would be allotted only to the freshers. Fifteen more students joined the strike on July 19 as the medical college administration refused to relent, despite several requests. The Directorate of Medical Education said in a statement to media this evening, "Some students have resorted to symbolic hunger strike for last few days at Medical College & Hospital regarding hostel accomodation. The College Council has consistently requested them to withdraw the symbolic strike and take care of their health."

The media statement also said, "I further assure the students that appropriate measures are being taken to improve and renovate hostel rooms....I request the students to withdraw the symbolic strike, return to academics and see that health services to people are not hampered." The old hostel, the protesters alleged, was in a "dilapidated" condition and did not have sufficient space to accommodate all senior students.

The officiating principal said he has requested the DME for a solution which will keep interests of everybody in mind. "During the meeting... it was observed if the number of applicants exceeded the present vacancies of aforesaid hostels, then the excess students will be accommodated in the new hostel in a maximum of three floors, including one floor from the guest accommodation, subjected to approval from higher authorities," the appeal signed by Bhadra said.

Bhadra took over as the officiating principal as his predecessor R Sinha resigned on July 22. Sinha, too, had taken charge only on July 17 after Principal Uchhal Bhadra fell sick in his office during the students' agitation and was admitted to SSKM hospital in the southern part of the city. There will be an "open and transparent counselling for hostel accommodation" if the DME approves the request made to him in July 21 meeting, Bhadra asserted.

The students, on their part, said they would call off the protest only after receiving a written consent from the DME's office. Three of the 21 students - Aniket Chatterjee, Sumit Dhara and Debasish Barman - fell ill during the course of 12-day protest. "One of them had been admitted to hospital while conditions of two others were being monitored by a medical board that has been posted at the site of protest. The agitators have decided to continue the strike till the DME gives in to their demands," Sayantan Mukuty, a student supporting the stir, said.

Several health organizations, affiliated to Left parties, are scheduled to hold a convention today before the administrative block of the medical college, in support of the agitating students. Thespian Soumitra Chatterjee, in an audio message yesterday, alleged the administration was not sensitive to the condition of the protesters. "That the students had to resort to fast to press for their rights is unfortunate," the veteran actor said, seeking a speedy resolution to the impasse. Film director Anik Dutta has also come in support of the students while CPI(M) MLA Sujan Chakraborty said he will seek the intervention of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee into the matter.