College flare-up

Birbhum, Aug. 17: Youths who came for “counselling” to secure admission to Birbhum Mahavidyalaya with geography as a subject ransacked the college today and threatened to set the principal ablaze after being denied berths.

The youths were barred from appearing for the counselling by the college. Principal Partha Sarathi Mukherjee said: “These students were not called for counselling and they cannot be admitted.” The youths broke windowpanes, chairs and tables, ceiling fans and lights. No one has been arrested yet.

Rebel alert

Barrackpore: A football match between jawans of the BSF’s 100 Battalion stationed in North 24-Parganas’ Basirhat and Assam Rifles was called off after suspected Naxalites distributed leaflets calling for a boycott. The BSF was charged with corruption and atrocities on civilians.

Cong gain

Calcutta: Former state Congress president Somen Mitra said five CPM dissidents, who had joined Trinamul Congress in February, entered his party on Tuesday. Mitra added that some Trinamul leaders were also mulling a switch.

Sailor dead

Haldia: A sailor, identified as D. Romeo, was found dead in a ship here on Tuesday morning. The vessel from Cyprus was here to collect iron ore.