Bhubaneswar, Aug. 6: Students of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) today staged a road blockade to protest against the alleged rape of an NIFT student late last night.

Police and the authorities of both institutes denied that any such incident had taken place. The institutes share the same campus.

Students from both institutes squatted on the road connecting Magnetic Square to Shikharchandi, disrupting traffic for several hours. They alleged that the incident happened around 2am when the girl was returning to the hostel with her friends. They claimed that some goons chased the girl and forced her to a lonely place nearby and raped her.

However, NIFT director Monica Agrawal said: "This talk about the girl being raped is imaginary. There has been no rape or molestation of any of our girls. However, one girl, who is in the habit of sleepwalking, had gone out of the hostel last night. But, she was safely brought back by security personnel," said.

KIIT authorities said the girl in question, who was allegedly under the influence of medication or drugs, was yelling at night hours following which, security guards in civil dress were trying to pacify her and get her back into the hostel.

Director, student services of KIIT University, Sucheta Priyabadini said: "No such incident has happened on the campus. It's just a rumour."

The agitating students withdrew the road blockade after police and institute authorities told them that no rape had taken place.

Till evening, no police complaint had been lodged. Deputy commissioner Satyabrata Bhoi also said: "No such incident has taken place. <>There is no rape victim as alleged. What has happened involving a girl is being investigated. The alleged victim is under medication and will be questioned after she regains her senses. The CCTV footage will be examined."