Striking employees at Visva-Bharati today conceded to the demands of students to continue with the routine services in the hostels after students protested their decision to withdraw emergency services and close down hostels of the university.

The Karmi Sabha (Employees Association) of the university had declared that from November 3, water, electricity and security will be withdrawn from the hostels.

A delegation of five students today met Vice-Chancellor Rajat Kant Ray, saying they would not allow this to happen. Nearly 200 students stood outside the V-C office. “Since October 23, all academic activities at the university have come to a halt. If the hostels are closed, the students will have to go back. Whatever little scope of teaching-learning is there will also not be available to us,” said Piyali Mondal, a second-year student of music who was part of the delegation that met the V-C.

She said the Vice-Chancellor advised them to give a written complaint and urge the employees association to continue providing necessary services to the boarders. “We have been silent for all this 11 days. We are neither with the Vice-Chancellor nor with the protesting teachers and employees. But why would the employees stop necessary services and force students to quit,” said Piyali.

The university has about 3,000 of its 5,000 students residing in nine hostels.