Bhubaneswar, Jan. 2: The BJB Autonomous College today reopened after it was closed indefinitely on December 28.

Although the campus situation was normal today, recurring incidents of violence have not only sullied the reputation of this most sought-after college, but also affected regular classes. Repeated tension and unruly activities have polluted the academic atmosphere on the campus, said students and teachers.

Parents of BJB Autonomous College students are a worried lot with the institution being close indefinitely on at least two occasions in the past six months. The frequent incidents of violence had forced college authorities to take the extreme steps.

"My parents call me up every day and tell me not to get involved in campus politics. They are very anxious," said Ramanuj Moharana, a college student, who hails from Kalahandi.

Students say that even if they want to keep away from the violence, it is difficult to do so. "Not knowing what was transpiring among the rival groups makes you uncomfortable. Everyone is discussing the situation all the time," said Pritish Jena, another student.

The situation is worse for boarders, who are forced to leave the hostels after the college is closed indefinitely.

"We are from various districts of the state and it's very difficult to make arrangements for return homes when the college is closed indefinitely," said student Prakruti Mohapatra.

The college was closed indefinitely on December 28 after some students had ransacked the institute. With protesters pelting the main building with stones and damaging glass panes, those taking semester examinations faced difficulties.

Last Monday, police had detained 10 students, who blocked the road for more than one hour demanding action against some goons, who had allegedly assaulted them the previous night.

Principal Mohammed Nawaz Hasan said: "It is a bad trend, but we are helpless. We were forced to ask the hostel boarders to vacate the college campus. The semester examination between December 26 and 30 was also rescheduled."

"The situation worsened last year. There had almost always been police deployment on the campus. That is not how an education campus should look like," said a senior teacher.

On December 5 last year, the authorities had to suspend classes for a day following a clash between two students groups. Violence erupted with students of both the groups attacking each other with cricket stumps and tube lights. Several students - both girls and boys - were injured.

Prior to this, the college had been closed indefinitely on September 28 following pre-poll violence on the campus. Protesting against the college authorities' decision, a student, Soubhagya Kumar Sahu, tried to immolate himself but was saved by the police and friends. On September 26, a crude bomb was lobbed on the campus leading to panic among students.