Balasore: The Nilgiri College has been closed sine die from Monday as authorities apprehended tension and clash between two groups of students.

Principal Manoranjan Panda said the action was taken to avert tension on the campus. Students of the dramatic society, owing allegiance to the BCJD, wanted to host a cultural programme on Monday, while a students' group belonging to the NSUI opposed it.

They opposed the event on grounds that according to a higher education department circular, no cultural events would be held in colleges after January 20 in view of exam preparations and classes.

"The permission was given for the cultural programme on Monday as the dramatic society group had pleaded that similar functions were being held in other colleges even after the deadline. Fearing law and order problem, the college has been declared sine die from today," said Panda.

"The student wings are remote-controlled by political parties. Both the groups are rigid in their stands. In order to avoid aggravating the crisis, the college classes are adjourned," he said.

Sources said the problem surfaced as two student wings - BCJD and NSUI - were in loggerheads.

On January 19, the students' union was supposed to hold the annual function. But on the same day MP Anubhav Mohanty visited Nilgiri.

The union requested the principal to defer the event. But, he turned down their appeals stating that functions were not allowed post January 20. But, he accorded February 12 to the BCJD to hold their fest. "The principal favoured a particular group," said a student.