Kochi: The six member team of UGC headed by its joint secretary Dr Manju Singh on Thursday visited the UC College with police protection and made assessment on granting autonomy to the college.
The students could not prevent them at the entrance of the college as the college authorities had secured a court order for police protection to the team. The students desisted as any prevention would amount to a non-bailable offence.
However, they staged a vociferous protest inside the campus and courted arrest.
Police was present on the campus from 7 am and the team began the visit from 9 am. A total of 200 students stormed the Mithrapura hall where the first meeting of the team was held with department heads, shouting slogans. Police arrested and removed them to Aluva police station. Later, around 50 students continued the agitation and they too were arrested.
Whole students boycotted classes in support of the agitation. However the team held meetings with faculties of most of the departments. It is learnt that they took the opinion of the faculty on granting autonomy through a secret ballot.
The team held a meeting with 30 representatives of the students belonging to unions, NSS and NCC. They conveyed their opinion on autonomy. The team will visit hostels and remaining departments on Friday.
