Bhubaneswar, Sept. 15: Violent incidents shook various campuses across the state today ahead of the college students' union elections scheduled in October.

Tension was high at BJB College after a group of students from Biju Chhatra Janata Dal blocked NH-203 in front of the college alleging delay in the arrest of students who were involved in an assault on them. The protesters blocked the road for around two hours by burning tyres. They also locked the main gate of the college.

The protesters alleged that Badagada police was supporting a particular group of students and had been threatening them. "The police arrested two of our supporters on September 8 in a false case and has also been threatening to arrest us also. On the other hand, the other group attacked our supporters two days ago but the police are not arresting them," said Kalpataru Ojha.

The police, however, said the arrest of two students was not linked to student politics. "Both students were arrested for demanding extortion from a contractor involved in construction on the campus," said a police official.

DCP Satyabrata Bhoi said they were keeping strict vigil on the campus. "Stringent action will be taken against troublemakers. Adequate police force will be deployed on campus to prevent any further untoward incidents," said Bhoi.

Ravenshaw University in Cuttack was also tense for the second consecutive day today after four students were suspended by the authorities for leading an agitation on campus yesterday.

Protesting against the arbitrary decision of the authorities to debar four students, a demonstration was staged by students of Masters in Computer Application (MCA) in front of the academic block.

The decision of Ravenshaw University to expel the students for one and two years sparked off widespread resentment.

Chinmaya Majhi, a third-year MCA student, said the 102 students of MCA department had earlier staged a demonstration yesterday against the misbehaviour of a teacher

The MCA students had locked the administrative block of the university for the whole day yesterday to protest against poor infrastructure at the university.

Later, the authorities had debarred four students for appearing the semester examinations according to a notification issued last night.

Though a formal notification for the students' union election is yet to be issued by the higher education department, the students have alleged that the authorities had taken the decision at the behest of political parties who do not want polls on the campus.

Ravenshaw University vice-chancellor Prakash Chandra Sarangi, however, said the four students were caught on CCTV locking the main administrative building.

"We do not have any problem with students staging a protest in a democratic way. The students had staged the agitation after the head of MCA department had protested 'soft ragging' of first-year students by third-year students on Tuesday," said Sarangi.

Sarangi added that according to the norms, the four students could appeal before the vice-chancellor who would forward their petition for revocation of their suspension before the executive council for a final decision.

At Salepur, student unrest continued over the death of a student of the Institute of Pharmacy and Technology after an accident. The college had declared the institute closed indefinitely yesterday after students ransacked the college. However, the students locked the principal's office as well as the main gate of the college today.

A student of the college met had with an accident on Tuesday. With no ambulance or first aid facilities available at the college, the student dies of his injuries. Since Tuesday, students of the institute had been demanding ambulance services and first aid facilities at the college. Yesterday, the students staged a road blockade over their demands by burning tyres.

Earlier today, a group of students of Ramadevi University protested after their campaigning hoardings were found torn up. The students said CCTVs must be installed to identify such rogue elements.