With the names of the students who committed suicide because of the stalemate written on the coffins and candles in their hands the protestors blocked traffic at the Esplanade-S N Banerjee Road crossing in the afternoon.

“We are forced to hold such a demonstration to make the state administration realise that the deadlock is forcing the students to end their lives. The administration has become blind and deaf and we thought we can highlight our discontent before it in this manner,” said a student leader.

The students started their march at 12.55 pm from College Square crossing and reached Esplanade at 2.25 pm. When the students blocked traffic at the Esplanade-S N Banerjee Road crossing and refused to move for nearly 10 minutes, the police arrested them. The students were whisked away from the spot in police vans. “Ninety-four students, of which 14 were female, were arrested and sent to the Presidency Correctional Home. Later they were released on bail,” a Kolkata Police official said.

The students have threatened that if in three days the government does not decide on their fate, they will not allow School Education Minister Partha De to take part in any programme.