HYDERABAD, July 27: Faculty members of the Mehran University of Engineering and Technology have refuted a statement made by the leader of the 93-Batch Students' Action Committee , Imran Tunio, appearing in the press, that failed students would be allowed 200 grace marks.

In a joint statement, they clarified that senior faculty members, on the desire of the hunger strikers of the 93rd batch, had met them to persuade them to call off their strike, following a meeting of the Academic Council of the university held on July 24.

The council, considering the matter purely on humanitarian ground, had decided to give a last chance to failed students of the batches of 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994, and had allowed them to appear in a special supplementary examination, they added.

University authorities said that as there was no provision for allowing 200 grace marks, the failed students were left with no other option but to avail the opportunity of the special examination as it was their last chance.

HUNGER STRIKE: Shopkeepers of the Bacha Khan Chowk, Gharib Nawaz Bridge, Kaimkhani Shopping Centre, Shah Makki Road and adjoining areas observed a token hunger strike at the Bacha Khan Chowk here on Tuesday.

They were demanding repair of the Shah Makki Road and the Tulsidas Road and installation of streetlights at the Gharib Nawaz Bridge. A large number of rickshaw and Suzuki drivers also visited the camp.

Office-bearers of the Bacha Khan Chowk Anjuman-i-Dukandaran said the hunger strike would continue till resolution of the problems.