Afghan students waiting to board Rajdhani Express at Cuttack railway station on their way to Delhi on January 18. Telegraph picture

Cuttack, Jan. 23: The 59 Afghan students of Ravenshaw University, who had left for New Delhi last week following a brawl on the campus, have decided to return to complete their studies.

University sources said the students had agreed to return and resume studies on condition that they were provided accommodation in Bhubaneswar. The university has 79 foreigners on its rolls, including 59 Afghans.

“We have come to know that they are coming back. The students and the faculty are happy at the development,” said vice-chancellor Devdas Chhotray, adding adequate steps would be taken to redress grievances of Afghan students once they return.

“Many of our friends were upset when the students left. Now they are happy that the boys’ faith in Cuttack has been restored,” he said.

Earlier, speculation was rife that the Afghans might not return. Three students, including one from Afghanistan, were injured in the clash on January 13.

Later, elaborate steps were taken to convince the foreign students with chief minister Naveen Patnaik assuring them complete security in the state and also seeking a comprehensive report on the incident involving them in the Ravenshaw University. Higher education minister Debi Prasad Mishra visited Delhi to talk to the students and officials of the Afghan Embassy and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). He had assured the students that they would be provided foolproof security on their return to the state.

“The students are expected back by Tuesday. Adequate steps would be taken to ensure the security of foreign students,” said Ravenshaw registrar Smarapriya Mishra, adding that efforts were being made to find suitable accommodations for the students in Bhubaneswar. “Similarly, steps will also be taken for their transportation needs,” said the registrar.

Sources said steps were being taken to arrange special coaching classes and exams for the foreign students who were deprived of the chance to appear in the semester exams due to campus fracas.

Some of the foreign students at the university have expressed happiness at the development. “It is a good news. A majority of the students want accommodation in Bhubaneswar and the matter is being discussed with the university and state government authorities,” said Fazalaq Fakiri, student of political science.

“We came here for quality education. Though what happened a few days ago was unfortunate, we are happy that we would now be able to complete our courses,” said Tariq Piroz, an Afghan student. Around 79 foreign students had taken admission at Ravenshaw University as part of the ICCR exchange programme last year.

People across the state had condemned the attack on the Afghan students. Citizens of Cuttack had demanded that efforts be made to ensure their return. “It is now the responsibility of the government and the university to ensure that such incidents are not repeated as those tarnish the image of the state and the country,” said one resident Ashok Prusty.

Cuttack, Jan. 23: The Ravenshaw University authorities have breathed a sigh of relief as the 59 Afghanistan students, who had left for New Delhi last week following a brawl on the campus, have decided to return to complete their studies.

University sources said that the students has agreed to return and resume studies on the condition that they would stay in Bhubaneswar, around 30 kms from here. The university has 79 foreigners on its rolls including 59 Afghans.

“We have come to know that they are coming back. The students and the faculty have expressed joy at the development,” said vice-chancellor Devdas Chhotray adding that adequate steps would be taken to redress the grievances of Afghan students once they return.

“ Many of our friends in the city were upset when the students left. Now they are all happy that the boys’s faith in Cuttack has been restored,” he said.

Earlier, speculation was rife that the Afghans , who left the city following a clash with the local students on January 13, might not return. Three students including one from Afghanistan were injured in the clash.

Later, elaborate steps were taken to convince the foreign students with chief minister, Naveen Patnaik assuring them complete security in the state and also seeking a comprehensive report on the incident involving them in the Ravenshaw University. Later Higher Education Minister, Debi Prasad Mishra, visited Delhi to talk to the students and the officials of Afghan Embassy and Indian Coucil for Cultural Relations (ICCR). He had assured the students that they would be provided fool proof security on their return to the state.

“The students are expected back by Tuesday. Adequate steps would be taken to ensure the security of foreign students,” said Ravenshaw registrar, Smarapriya Mishra adding that efforts were being made to find suitable accommodations for the students in Bhubaneswar. “ Similarly, steps will also be taken for their security and transportational needs,” said the registrar.

Sources said that steps were also being taken to arrange special coaching classes and exams for the foreign students who were deprived of the chance to appear in the semester exams because of the campus fracas.

Some of the foreign students at the university also expressed their happiness at the development. “It is good news that all our friends are coming back. A majority of the students want accommodation in Bhubaneswar and the matter is being discussed with the university and state government authorities,” said a student Fazalaq Fakiri who studies political science.

“We had come here looking for quality education and though what happened a few days ago was unfortunate we are happy that we will now be able to complete our courses,” said Tariq Piroz , another Afghan student. Around 79 foreign students had taken admissions at Ravenshaw University as part of ICCR exchange programe last year.

The attack on Afghan students had been condemned by people across the state. Eminent citizens of Cuttack had demanded that efforts be made to ensure their return. “It is good to know that the students are coming back. It is now the responsibility of the government and university to ensure that such incidents are not repeated as they tarnish the image of the state and the country,” said city resident, Ashok Prusty.