Students burn a tyre outside Christ College in Cuttack on Thursday. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, July 25: Protests over waterlogging at Christ College here today took a violent turn as two groups of students clashed, leading to police deployment on the campus. None was injured in the incident.

Sources said the students owed different political allegiance.

“We were staging a demonstration against college authorities for not taking adequate development issues to address various issues when the other group attacked us,” said Rajesh Dhapar, a Plus Three second-year commerce student.

Rajesh said the majority of college students were dissatisfied over functioning of the students’ union. “We are facing many problems as rain water is leaking from the roof. Besides, there are no fans or lights in the classrooms,” said Saubhagya Behera, another second-year student.

On the other hand, president of the students’ union Sangram Keshari Sahu said a memorandum had been submitted to principal Snigdha Mishra two days ago on various issues plaguing the college. “I had gone for a discussion with the students staging protests, when they attacked me and one of my friends. We have asked the college authorities to take action against those involved in today’s violence,” said Sahu.

Tension prevailed on the campus for over three hours as one of the groups also resorted to roadblock by burning tyres to mark protest against the attack.

Vehicular traffic between Chandi Mandir Square and Biju Patnaik Chhak and Kanika Chhak was disrupted for over 45 minutes.

The new academic session has just commenced at the institute. “We are feeling insecure as we have just joined the college. The authorities should intervene so that regular studies are not hampered,” said a Plus Two first-year student requesting anonymity. The students alleged that due to lack of stringent action against those creating unrest on the campus, such violent clashes were frequently taking place in the college.

The principal said she had asked the police to take appropriate action as the clash occurred outside the campus. “The clash that took place among the students was a political one over past rivalry. The school authority has nothing to do with it as it has occurred outside the college gate,” she said.

Mishra said she had approached the Cuttack Municipal Corporation to resolve the drainage problems on the campus.

The problem has led to waterlogging near the entrance to the college.