A letter from the Maoists achieved in 24 hours what a three-month-long agitation by students could not.

Authorities of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, issued a letter on Thursday, asking principals of three colleges to submit documents related to enrolment of students into BEd (bachelor in education) courses during 2014-15.

Vice-chancellor Pandit Prabhakar Palande had set up a four-member committee to look into complaints of financial irregularities by authorities of CN College, Sahebganj (Muzaffarpur), TP Verma College, Narkatiaganj (West Champaran) and LN College, Bhagwanpur (Vaishali). But its members were allegedly reluctant to probe the matter. BEd students of these institutions were protesting for over three months for a probe into collection of exorbitantfees. They alleged the university authorised these institutions to start the course despite lack of infrastructure but no classes were held.

A student union leader, Mukul Sharma, said the probe committee was sitting on the matter for over a month. But they swung into action soon after a letter issued by Lakhindra Sahni, incarcerated zonal commander of CPI(Maoist), reached them on Tuesday. Sources said the handwritten letter threatened the panel with dire consequences if they did not initiate the process soon.

The four-member committee would now scrutinise the documents students submit.

University proctor Ajay Kumar Srivastava said the college principals had been asked to furnish details of students enrolled for the course and other information. The CN College principal has been asked to appear before the panel on February 20 and heads of TP Verma College and LN Colleges to submit papers on February 24 and February 25, respectively.

Proctor Srivastava, also the official spokesperson, said the panel, comprising him, pro-vice-chancellor Prabha Kiran, dean (students' welfare) Birendra Kumar Singh and course coordinator Taran Roy would submit its report to the university by March 15, 2015.

Muzaffarpur senior superintendent of police Ranjit Kumar Mishra said the police were tipped off. The registrar told him it was an internal matter. 'But I have asked the university police station station house officer for a report,' he said.