Bhubaneswar, Sept. 19: Minister Sanjay Das Burma today escaped unhurt after students of Alaranath Vocational College hurled a chair at him during a programme at the institute.

The skill development and technical education minister faced stiff opposition upon his arrival at the college, which is located 65km away from here. Though the chair missed him by a whisker, the incident sparked a confrontation between the supporters of the minister and the agitating students. The clash also forced the police present at the location to resort to mild lathicharge to bring the situation under control.

The incident took place when Das Burma, who is also the local MLA, was about to take his place on the dais during the 38th foundation day celebrations of the college. Though the cops remained tight-lipped about the reason behind the incident, sources said that the attackers were backed by Opposition parties.

Alaranath Vocational College principal Khageswar Jena said the attackers were former students who had also been invited to the programme. "The former students had an argument with the present group over some issue and both groups threw chairs at each other during the meeting," he said.

Das Burma, on the other hand, pleaded ignorance about the incident.

"Protests are a part and parcel of politics but, it should be done in a decent manner. I don't know the reason behind their anger. I am also unaware of any demands that the agitators may have. The incident is politically motivated," the minister said.

Brahmagiri police station inspector in-charge Umakanta Singh said the police had detained one student in this connection.

"The minister is safe and we are interrogating the student to ascertain the reason behind the incident," said Singh.

This is not the first time that Das Burma has found himself in the line of fire of Opposition "missiles".

Earlier this year, Das Burma, who is also the food supplies and consumer welfare minister, faced stiff resistance from youth and student wings of the Congress over alleged irregularities in the distribution of ration cards under the National Food Security Act.

On January 4, activists of the Youth Congress had hurled eggs at Das Burma's car at Puri Circuit House. They were staging a protest against the irregularities in the preparing ration card beneficiaries' list. The cops in Puri had arrested five members of the Youth Congress in connection with the incident.

The following day, activists of the Youth Congress again targeted the minister, hurling eggs and rotten tomatoes at his car near Chhatrapur Science College during another protest. The minister was on his way to Berhampur University to attend its golden jubilee function.