The indefinite hunger strike by six medical students demanding accommodation in the newly built hostel at Calcutta Medical College and Hospital complex here received further boost with 11 more students joining the fast unto death agitation, thereby compounding situation for the medical authorities.

The agitation by the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year medical students, which began from June 27 demanding hostel accommodation in the newly built 11th floor building, gained momentum from July 10 when six students began fast unto death. However, the number students on fast went up on Wednesday with 11 more joining them intensifying the agitation. An emergency council meeting was held on July 19 night to iron out the trouble yielded nothing.

The Calcutta Medical College and Hospital authorities, while refusing any accommodation in the new building to the agitating students from 2nd, 3rd and 4th year, assured them that they would repair their old hostels and requested them to call off the agitation. But the students claimed their existing accommodation was filthy and unfit for living. The new building was only for 1st year students.

Meanwhile, many more students of Calcutta Medical College have threatened to go on a mass hunger strike unless their demand was met. The students were on hunger strike outside the principal’s chamber to press for their demand. An unconfirmed report said that Dr. Ramanuj Sinha was asked to act as an acting principal in the absence of Principal Uchhal K Bhadra, who has been admitted to SSKM Hospital.