Owing to a longstanding student strike, Annamalai University has decided to indefinitely close the Rajah Muthiah Institute of Medical and Dental Colleges. The classes are suspended until further notice for its undergraduate and postgraduate students.

On Thursday, the university had asked all its students to immediately vacate the college premises. "Unauthorised stay in hostels and gatherings beyond 4 pm on January 21 will be viewed with serious concern," reads a circular. However, the classes for the MBBS and BDS freshmen will be held as usual.

The students of the medical college have been on a strike for more than 40 days now, demanding a reduction of fees. The MBBS students of the college pay a fee of Rs 5.54 Lakh per year, while the BDS students pay Rs 3.5 Lakh per year, according to reports. The University had previously issued a warning to students in December, asking him to call off their protest. 

The University then noted that a section of students had been gathering and shouting slogans and directed them to stop as the campus was a COVID-19 hospital. "Unauthorised gatherings, creating a nuisance and shouting slogans resulting in unrest inside the premise during or outside of working hours will not be tolerated anymore. This is a violation of the rules and regulations of the University and will attract disciplinary action against the offenders," it then said.