State Human Rights Commission seeks VC report

Hyderabad: The State Human Rights Commission on Thursday sought a report from University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor Appa Rao Podile following a complaint that the university had cut water and power supply to students of the varsity. The SHRC asked the Vice-Chancellor to submit a report on March 26. In a plea to the commission, Aam Admi Party-Telangana unit said UoH authorities have closed down all hostels affecting over 5000 students.

It further alleged that authorities disconnected internet to students, faculty and were not allowing media and others on the campus. Meanwhile, the non-teaching staff of the university who had gone on strike resumed duties on Thursday. The non-teaching staff went on strike in protest against the ransacking of VC’s official residence and after being assaulted allegedly by the group of students who were opposing Appa Rao’s return.

Speaking to The Hans India, Non-Teaching Staff Association president M Shivaram Mohan said even though students had assaulted three staff members and used unparliamentarily language, they have called off the strike and restored mess service on humanitarian grounds. He denied interrupting water, power and internet services to students.

On reports of cut in supply of water, power and internet facility, the university clarified that the varsity had never cut either water or electricity on the campus. The varsity administration said some miscreants damaged the pump on the campus and it has been restored.

With regard to the disconnection of internet, the university said that since the non-teaching staff went on strike, internet facility could have been interrupted. It has been restored. "The situation on the campus is peaceful," Gachibowli Inspector J Ramesh said on Thursday. Meanwhile, 25 students and two faculty members of the university, who were arrested on Wednesday, were sent to judicial remand.