KANPUR, Aug. 14 -- Students at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Anaugi, Kannauj, locked themselves inside their hostel and began a hunger strike in the early hours of Thursday, alleging poor-quality food, unsafe drinking water and misconduct by school staff, including the principal. The students began their protest around 4am and also boycotted classes. They demanded that a senior administrative officer visit the campus, hear their complaints and provide a written assurance on resolving the issues before they call off the protest. In a three-page complaint and videos circulated by the students, they alleged poor hygiene in the mess and claimed that stale food was being served. Their allegations included being served month-old boondi, curd mixed with vinegar and milk treated with soda. They also alleged that insects and even a lizard had been found in food. The students further claimed that handpumps on the campus were supplying yellow, contaminated water and that the RO purification system was not functioning. They alleged that the head cook and other mess employees abused students who raised objections and threatened them with transfer certificates. However, principal SK Pandey denied the allegations, calling them baseless and fabricated. He said some senior students frequently raised unnecessary issues and tried to escalate them. Pandey said that on Wednesday evening, an insect commonly found during the rainy season had accidentally fallen into a student's food....