Furniture vandalised by students at BJB Autonomous College in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 17: Tension erupted at BJB College here after a group of outsiders had allegedly assaulted two students on the campus this afternoon.

Later, protesting against the attack, students of the institute also allegedly tried to ransack the principal’s office.

Sources said that around 12.15pm, a group of outsiders assaulted Mahesh Prasad, president of the students’ union, in front of the arts block. “Around six persons, all wearing helmets, reached the arts block and assaulted me and one of my friends. My fingers were injured in the attack,” said Prasad.

Apart from Prasad, Ashraya Ranjan, a second-year student of commerce, was also injured in the attack.

Following the incident, a large number of students gathered at the principal’s office, demanding action against the assailants. Later, alleging inaction on part of the authorities, the students tried to ransack the principal’s office.

“The atmosphere is not conducive for polls. We urge the authorities to ensure a peaceful polls,” said Prasad.

The situation was brought under control with the intervention of police and college authorities.

“We rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control. One platoon of police have been deployed on the campus to prevent any more untoward incidents,” said inspector in charge of Badagada police station Atanu Kumar Rout. Sources said supporters of a presidential aspirant were not in favour of the polls due to lack of support from the students, and they were trying to create disturbance on the campus by resorting to violence, which might lead to cancellation of polls.

College authorities said they would take special measures to restrict the entry of outsiders on the campus.

Though the state government has decided to conduct student polls on September 29, the concerned colleges will notify the polls tomorrow.

Following the incident, the college authorities suspended the remaining classes. “College elections are held for betterment of the institutes. But, the way the students are resorting to violence, other students have to suffer,” said a student. The authorities could not be contacted for comments despite several attempts.