Tyres set on fire by students outside Maharishi College of Natural Law on Monday

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 13: Students, who were injured in a clash on the Maharishi College of Natural Law campus, threatened to gherao the deputy commissioner of police’s office if the alleged outsiders involved in the violence were not arrested.

This incident assumes significance as students’ union elections are scheduled for September. Sources said a group of Congress-backed students were staging a demonstration in front of the college gate against the state government’s alleged negligence in the treatment of the Kendrapara rape and burn victim. A few students, owing allegiance to the BJD along with a couple of outsiders, allegedly confronted the agitators, leading to a clash in which three students suffered injuries.

College authorities have suspended all classes till Thursday, while the two rival groups lodged a complaint with Saheed Nagar police. “There were two criminals, among those, who attacked us. They are deliberately creating a disturbance to prevent us from contesting the elections. We have urged the officials not to allow the outsiders inside the college and ensure that students show their identity cards at the main gate,” said a president hopeful backed by the Congress.

The injured students have also urged the authorities to beef up security on the college campus.The college is yet to take a definitive decision about conducting the students’ union elections this year. “In the staff council meeting today, all teachers expressed unanimous opinion that elections cannot be held if the campus atmosphere remains tense. We really want elections to be held peacefully, and for that, we need every student’s support. But, if any untoward incident takes place over the next month, we will not go ahead with the polls,” vice-principal B.K. Sahoo said.

Last week, Saheed Nagar police wrote to the college authorities, offering suggestions to check campus violence. “We had asked them to take strict steps to prevent outsiders’ entry. Besides, we have also suggested that staff members conduct campus patrolling during college hours till the polls get over. We are always ready to co-operate with them, but they have to take the initiative to control campus disturbance,” said a police officer.

In another development, a minor scuffle was reported from BJB Autonomous College yesterday as a former student leader was found campaigning for a presidential candidate. “The BJD fielded the boy, and as a former president campaigning for him, aspirants owing allegiance to the Congress and the Odisha Jan Morcha got infuriated,” said sources.

However, college authorities feigned ignorance about the matter. “No such incident has come to my notice. Admissions are still going on and campaigning has not begun yet,” said principal Niranjan Dhal.