Over 40 undergraduates of the Social Sciences and Humanities faculties of the Raja Rata University yesterday commenced a satyagraha in front of its administrative building demanding hostel facilities.

Though the students who are in the second year have been provided accommodation 10 km away from the university they rejected it citing lack of security and travelling expenses.

The President of the Students Union Sampath Marasinghe said accommodation has been provided near the Anuradhapura-Jaffna Junction and each student has to pay Rs. 1,500 out of the Rs. 2,000 monthly allowance.

He said "The students will not disperse from this place until their demands are met."

However the registrar of the university A. G. Marasinghe said 99% of the students have been provided with hostel facilities.

Asked whether the university authorities were not in a position to provide security to the place where they have found alternate accommodation, the registrar said the students were not in favour.

The construction of a new hostel, where about 800 students could be accommodated, will be completed by April next year he said.

A group of students are trying to create chaos in the university by making some students scapegoats he pointed out.