Dumka: Amid ongoing protests in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the state public service and staff selection commissions, a students’ outfit has threatened to lockdown the administrative building of Sido Kanhu Murmu University (SKMU) to protest the reduction of undergraduate (UG) seats in SP College in Dumka.The Santhal Pargana chapter of Students’ Coordination Committee (SCC) threatened to lockdown SKMU campus indefinitely from Aug 10 if the decision to slash UG seats was not rolled back.On Thursday, outfit members locked down the SP College campus. In July, UG seats in the college were slashed from 5,570 seats to 2,820. SCC members said slashing of seats will further limit education opportunities for students in the area.Terming the decision to slash seats anti-student, SCC functionary Shyamdeo Hembrom said it would disproportionately affect poor and economically weaker students who rely on govt colleges for higher education.“We demand restoration of the earlier intake capacity and admission for every eligible student. If no positive decision is taken within three days, we will lock the SKMU headquarters indefinitely from Aug 10,” Hembrom said.The committee also demanded restoration of the LLB programme at SP College, introduction of geography and other subjects, and resolution of issues concerning affiliated BEd colleges.SKMU registrar Abdus Sattar said the reduction was implemented in compliance with state govt directives. “The decision is based on an assessment of subject-wise admission trends over the last three years. The university has little role in the matter,” he said.
