: With last minute cancellation of talks, reportedly between state ministers and representatives of students of Forest College and Research Institute in Chennai today, the indefinite fast by a section of them continued for the fourth day today.
A total of 41 students have so far been admitted to the Government Hospital in Mettupalayam, where the college is located.
Institute sources said a senior FCRI official had informed the students that agriculture and forest ministers had invited them to Chennai to break the deadlock, in the presence of the vice Chancellor and registrar of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, being its constituent college.
Six students, including three girls waited till 2 AM for confirmation on the talks and to go to chennai, but did not receive any further information, indicating it had been cancelled, they said.
The students, who are on agitational path since Jan 27, started their indefinite fast on February 17. Of the 213 students, 41 fell sick and have been hospitalised, they said.
Meanwhile, some students on fast resorted to a novel protest today, crawling on their knees to plead wth the Government to accept their two-point demand, considering their financial and health conditions.
The students are demanding 100 per cent reservation in appointment of forest rangers and quota and priority in jobs of foresters to forestry graduates.
