Patna, Jan. 24: About 250 students of RPS Engineering College, Danapur, went on the rampage today, accusing the institute administration of giving them low marks in the internal examinations held in December.

The results were published a few days ago.

Security guards deployed at the college gate tried to stop the protesting students. However, the pupils forcefully entered the college premises and went inside director Uma Shankar Pandey’s office. They confined Pandey in his chamber for over two hours. The students didn’t allow Pandey to come out from his chamber and also snapped power supply to his office.

The college is a private institution affiliated to Magadh University. Sources said trouble broke out around 12 noon and continued for over two-and-a-half hours with the students staging demonstration in front of the campus.

The agitating students were mainly first year undergraduates.

Ranjan Kumar, a first year student of the college, said: “Only 80 students out of the 420 were declared successful in the college internal examinations conducted last year.”

The students alleged that there had been favouritism in granting marks. There were also allegations against teachers of granting pass marks to students in return for money.

Rakesh Kumar, another student, said: “We worked hard throughout the year. But when it comes to granting marks, some of the entrance examination toppers failed in the internal examinations.”

The administration tried to pacify the students, claiming that there was no favouritism in granting marks. But the students demanded grace marks for those who had failed in the exam and re-evaluation of answers scripts. As there was no assurance from college administration, some students went on the rampage and damaged college property, including windowpanes, doors, furniture and electronic gadgets.

Sensing trouble, the college administration informed Khagaul police, who reached the spot in 30 minutes. The cops, led by station house officer Kamod Prasad, tried to pacify the students. Prasad said: “Following the intervention of police, the college administration agreed upon the students’ demand for re-evaluation of papers.”

The students also claimed that the college charges Rs 1 lakh as tuition fees every year but the college lacks necessary infrastructure. “None of the teachers are qualified and there are no labs or other facilities. There is no placement cell for students either,” said a student on condition of anonymity. Despite several attempts, the college administration could not be contacted for comment.