Patna, Jan. 13: Patna University vice-chancellor Y.C. Simhadri has asked the state government to close the institution once and for all if it cannot provide support.

Simhadri, in a conversation with The Telegraph today, said he was helpless in stopping the spate of violent incidents in PU hostels, adding that a section of the college professors were instigating the students.

'The state government should shut down Patna University if it does not have an intention to support it properly. Patna University is not getting support it needs from anywhere. Neither the police nor the district administration has taken a step forward to help the university when it comes to law and order issues. Never in my career have I faced this kind of helplessness,' Simhadri, who was in New Delhi, told The Telegraph.

On Monday, one Shivam Kumar, who was allegedly staying illegally in one of the rooms of Saidpur Hostel, was shot at by unidentified persons. Shivam has been admitted to a city hospital in critical condition. On Sunday, a clash erupted between boarders of the Saidpur and Jackson hostels during which crude bombs were exploded. At least two students were injured. In both these cases, the police are yet to make any arrests. Police sources said a politician belonging to the ruling party could be involved in Shivam's shooting.

Simhadri, who joined as vice-chancellor on January 31 last year, said that a section of students who were at the forefront of the violence were being instigated by a group of teachers.

'Though I cannot name them as I have a job to do, there are a few teachers in the university who teach less and indulge more in politics. These teachers are involved in politics of caste, and it is they who instigate and encourage the students to get involved in unlawful activities. Even the governor's secretariat somehow supports them and I have faced embarrassment many a time. I cannot take action against them thus. I have tried my level best to improve the university and have plans lined up. But without the support of the state government, I cannot do anything. I myself have been abused and also attacked more than once by the protesting students. Though I don't fear for my life, I am always in danger. There has to be 24-hour police presence in the areas in which the hostels and colleges are located. The administration had talked about constructing a permanent boundary wall around the Saidpur Hostel campus but nothing has happened,' Simhadri said.

Much after the Sunday evening violence, the police directed the local Pirbahore police station to take action and evict all those who were illegally staying in the Patna College hostels.

However, till Tuesday evening, the police were yet to initiate action and instead turned the gun on the PU authorities. 'The police have taken action like this many times but nothing has changed or improved in the colleges under PU. The students are not criminals and it is the job of the university to mend. If such problems are arising time and again in the university, the authorities should realise that there is something wrong with their functioning,' Patna city SP (central) Shivdeep Lande told The Telegraph.

The college authorities disagreed.

'This is a law and order issue and the police are responsible to solve this. We are teachers and cannot act like the police. They have not taken any effective steps and as a protest, I am on fast from 7am until 7pm,' N.K. Choudhary, the principal of Patna College, said.

There are 24 hostels under Patna University - nine at Saidpur in Rajendra Nagar, five in Patna College, three in Patna Science College, four for girls on the Magadh Mahila College campus and three girls' hostels on the university campus.