Lucknow: Tension gripped Lucknow University (LU) on Wednesday evening after residents of the Kailash girls’ hostel protested over alleged unhygienic food and a bout of illness among students. The protest escalated when hostellers laid siege to the vice-chancellor’s office, demanding immediate action and a meeting with the VC.Five students were admitted to Vivekanand Hospital late Wednesday night with acute stomach ache. Doctors said the students were suffering from mild food poisoning and were discharged within an hour after treatment.Students said the girls fell sick soon after dinner and alleged that the mess food contained insects and other contaminants, including claims of mouse droppings, worms and even a scorpion. The incident comes a week after vice-chancellor Prof JP Saini inspected the hostel and issued instructions to improve cleanliness and hygiene.Hostellers alleged that despite changes in mess staff and the appointment of observers, food quality did not improve. They said they began a dharna outside the VC’s office building, but claimed staff locked channel gates to prevent them from reaching the office.Dean student welfare Prof Amita Kannaujiya said the university would refund mess fees, cancel the mess operator’s tender and keep the mess closed until a new vendor is finalised. She said students would have to arrange food from outside in the interim. Protesters, however, continued to insist on meeting the VC.Student Ishani Singh said repeated complaints had been ignored despite paying about Rs 40,000 annually. Another student, Rivibha Kumari, said food was often undercooked and hygiene remained a concern.Earlier in the day, students at the university’s second campus locked front and back gates for about three hours, alleging breakfast was not served in all hostels and raising similar complaints about insects in food.Earlier in the day, students at the university’s second campus locked front and back gates for about three hours, alleging breakfast was not served in all hostels and raising similar complaints about insects in food.
