The Icfai University Tripura has decided to suspend classes for all its students with immediate effect till 31st Jan 2012, in view of the continued agitation by some of its staff members. “A small group of staff members whose services are terminated are coercing other staff, faculty and students to agitate so that normalcy is not restored in the campus” said Prof R K Pattnaik, the VC of the University.

The University, in its efforts to safeguard the interests of the students, even arranged to conduct online classes system. “When a large number of students evinced keen interest to attend online classes, the disruptive elements in the agitating staff have sabotaged the entire exercise by tampering with the power supply and internet connectivity. Further they issued threats of physical violence to those interested students” emphasised Prof Pattnaik.

The University is seriously concerned about the safety of its students who have come from different parts of the country. “Taking undue advantage of the prevailing situation it appears that some anti social elements have joined the agitation and thereby creating law and order problem within the campus” added Prof Pattnaik.

However, in the interest of the staff members, the University has planned to conduct Faculty Development Programme to enable the faculty to upgrade its skills and knowledge during this period while the classes remain suspended.