Bhubaneswar, Sept. 28: Students of BJB Autonomous College here went berserk following cancellation of union polls this evening.

Enraged over the college authority's decision, Soubhagya Ranjan Sahoo, an aspirant, attempted self-immolation by pouring kerosene on his body. But, police stopped him. Students ran amok trying to forcibly break open locked gates demanding polls.

However, the cops brought the situation under control. Following the unrest, the college authorities announced closure of the institute and its hostels sine die. Boarders were also asked to vacate immediately.

At least two platoons of police have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents on the campus. The college authorities officially handed over the campus to the district authorities in the evening.

The college had been witnessing regular incidents of violence since the past one month. On Monday, goons hurled a bomb near the science block of the college. Earlier in the day, a group of students had launched a demonstration demanding security on the campus.

On the other hand, sine die declared yesterday by the Capital Law College authorities due to "disturbances and student unrest on the campus" was lifted this evening. The college will open tomorrow, said the authorities. Students had staged a protest against the closure of the institute sine die. Holding placards and shouting slogans, the students demanded polls.

The students' union elections were also cancelled in three more city colleges - College of Basic Science and Humanities, City Women's College and Ekamra College.

The authorities of College of Basic Science and Humanities issued a notice on cancellation of the campus poll citing pre-poll violence. "Because of unrest in the recent past and deterioration of law and order on the campus, there is apprehension of further problems. Therefore, it has been decided that no election will be held," said college director Bikash Panda.

Authorities of the City Women's College decided not to hold the poll this year for the ongoing exams. "As mid-term exams are under way, it is not possible for us to hold the polls," said principal Suryasnata Satapathy. The college had also cancelled the elections last year.

The elections at Ekamra College were already cancelled last week following a series of student clashes. Elections were also called off at the Upendranath College at Soro in Balasore and Gopalpur College in Ganjam. Here, too, students ransacked the campuses.

The official notification for the union election was published in colleges and universities across the state today. The aspirants will file nominations tomorrow and the final list will be declared on October 1. The "what I stand for" meeting will be held on October 4 and the polls will be held on October 5. The oath taking will take place on October 6.