Forensic experts at the blast site inside vice-chancellor’ s office on Monday in Cuttack. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Nov. 4: Ravenshaw University authorities today slapped a two-year suspension on two students for their alleged involvement in low-intensity serial explosions at the vice-chancellor’s office last night.

The decision was taken at an emergency staff council meeting this evening after an inquiry committee submitted its interim report in connection with the incident that took place at around 10.30pm. Security officials said they heard four loud explosions in the vice-chancellor’s office.

This is being seen as a backlash against the authorities’ decision to cancel campus polls following students’ unrest in September. Forensic experts today visited the spot and collected remnants of the damaged property.

The two students — A. Aditya Alpha of third-year commerce and Sudhansu Kumar of first-year geology —have been debarred from appearing in the next four semesters.

Varsity sources said a group of 20 to 30 students were seen bursting crackers on the campus to celebrate Diwali last night. The group apparently created nuisance in front the girls’ hostels on the university premises.

“We suspect low-intensity bombs were used. Windowpanes and other property have been damaged,” said vice-chancellor B.C. Tripathy. He said the two suspended students were identified based on the statements of security officers, two present and former student, who had committed the offence.

An inquiry committee headed by chairman of council of deans, P.K. Mohapatra, was constituted and the committee submitted its report this evening. The committee has been asked to continue its probe and submit the final report by tomorrow.

“Names of two more students have subsequently come to our notice and the inquiry committee has been asked to take appropriate action against the guilty,” Tripathy added. The authorities also lodged a police complaint after finding out that property inside the vice-chancellor’s office was damaged in the incident. “We have registered a case based on the complaint by the authorities. Forensic experts also visited the spot and investigation is on,” said deputy commissioner of police S. Praveen Kumar.