Bhubaneswar, Nov. 27: The Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) today expelled five students for one year in connection with the ragging incident reported at the College of Forestry earlier this week.

A central disciplinary committee, headed by vice-chancellor Manoranjan Kar, took the decision this afternoon.

Taking a strong stand against ragging, the vice-chancellor said: "The students will not be allowed for any courses under the varsity for a year. On completion of one year, they would be allowed to take re-admission and continue their course."

First-year students had alleged 15 seniors in the hostel had ragged them. They protested in front of the dean's office on Tuesday, demanding action.

They said that despite several complaints to the hostel superintendent, the authorities as well as the anti-ragging committee, no action was taken against the accused seniors. A formal FIR was also lodged at Khandagiri police station.

While only five of the accused students have been expelled, the authorities have decided to take disciplinary action against the remaining 10 after examining their involvement in the case. "According to the rules, if found guilty, they could be asked to leave the hostel or pay a fine. They could also be put under probation during which, we would monitor their conduct," said a varsity source.

Earlier today, parents of both sets of students met each other over talks of a compromise. However, parents of the first-year students were unwilling to compromise and demanded action against the accused.

Boarders of the university's Pathani Samanta Hostel have alleged cases of ragging and torture by the seniors ever since their admission. However, matters took a turn for the worse on November 19 when the accused assaulted the first-year students, injuring some of them.