Scenes of jubilation after the declaration of poll results at (clockwise from top left) Khallikote College, Municipal College, Ravenshaw University, Women’s College in Sambalpur, and RD Women’s College. Pictures by Gopal Krishna Reddy, Uttam Kumar Pal, Telegraph picture, Badrika Nath Das and Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar / Cuttack, Oct.19: Sporadic violence and protests marred the campus polls in the twin cities today. The contentious mood among students also rubbed off on the faculty members with three professors of Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, engaging in a brawl.

Tension gripped Kamala Nehru College in Bhubaneswar following a clash between two groups of students. “The former college president created a ruckus by pushing supporters of the losing presidential candidate who later hit Rosalin Bahinipati, the elected president of our college, and her supporters, with sticks outside the campus,” said a student, adding that Rosalin suffered a fracture in her right leg. College authorities informed the police about the incident after which the situation was brought under control.

Frayed tempers were also witnessed in the Ramadevi Women’s Autonomous College after the results were announced. Pallavi Mohapatra was declared college president with a victory margin of 65 votes, which irked the supporters of her opponent, Rajashree Rajasmita Bhanja. They closed the main gate and demanded recounting of votes or in its place, declaration of elections as null and void.

As protests intensified, the police escorted all winning candidates out of campus. However, the losing candidates and their supporters continued protesting until late evening. Six platoons of police were pressed into service. At Shailabala Womens’ College, Cuttack, too, supporters of losing candidates staged a demonstration alleging miscalculation of votes. Jayanti Singh was elected president.

At Ravenshaw, zoology professor, Nachiketa Das allegedly engaged in fisticuffs with botany professor Pradipta Mohapatra and history professor Chandi Prasad Nanda after results were announced. Saubhagya Swain was president.

After Rakesh Mandal was elected as dramatics secretary of Ravenshaw, his opponents staged protests on the campus and gheraoed the varsity registrar and other staff members in the commerce block.

Sibabrata Nayak was elected president of BJB Autonomous College. Visually challenged student Rajiv Lochan Sahoo won the post of vice-president.

Rourkela

Barring HK Ray College, where elections had been called off earlier, polling was held in all major institutions. At Municipal College, election for all posts but president was cancelled.

Sambalpur

At Sambalpur University, elections for only two posts were held with Prashanta Kumar Das and Prakash Dang becoming president and general secretary, respectively.

Berhampur

Polls were conducted peacefully across the Silk City. While Naba Kishore Nayak will now rule the campus of Berhampur University, Soubhagya Kumar Parida was the choice of students for the president’s position at Khallikote Autonomous College.

Balasore & Bhadrak

There was no election at Fakir Mohan University, Balasore. Direct elections were held at other colleges with Sunil Mahalik becoming president at Fakir Mohan College.