Bhubaneswar, Aug. 12: Saheed Nagar police have sent a hard-hitting letter to the vice-chancellor (V-C) of Utkal University here for failing to check frequent incidents of violence on campus while students’ union elections was “knocking at the door”.
In the letter, inspector-in-charge of the police station, K.P. Mishra, has criticised V-C Prashant Kumar Sahu for not fulfilling his commitment to step up security on the varsity premises. He has mentioned that following a series of violent clashes on-campus with the involvement of outsiders, Utkal faculty members had agreed to undertake certain measures to prevent breach of peace.
The suggestions included engagement of adequate private security personnel at various entry and exit points, responsible officers at the hostels, removal of unauthorised persons from the hostels and to take disciplinary action against students inciting and indulging in violence.
Mishra said the V-C had been sensitised for proper implementation of security measures last October, but he had taken no tangible steps to restore an academic atmosphere on the campus.
“Rather, the ill-will and hatred among the rival groups has further aggravated in their quest to gain political upper hand. As many as 17 cog cases have been registered at Saheed Nagar police station alone involving the same rival groups since July 13, 2012. No cardinal effort has been made by the university authority to lessen the animosity,” reads the letter.
Making a discreet reference to political interference on the campus wars, Mishra has slammed the V-C for inefficiency in dealing with students’ conflicts. “It is reliably learnt that rivalry between opposing groups is increasing because of the leniency of the authority towards a particular group as suspected by the other (group),” he has stated.
Tension has been prevailing at the premier varsity following the authorities’ move to drive out outsiders from the hostels. Referring to an incident on August 2 nights, Mishra said a possible breach of peace was avoided due to timely intervention of cops. “However, I found no security personnel or any authority of the university was present at Madhusudan Chhatrabas (a boys’ hostel). I tried my best to contact you, sir, (V-C) and the chairman of PG council but…could not get any response,” he has said.
Sources said there was another confrontation between boarders of two boys’ hostel on August 8, but it was not reported to the higher authorities. While Sahu could not be reached despite repeated attempts, chairman of PG Council chairman, P.K. Mishra said security measures were being taken to avoid any major clash.
“The university atmosphere is quite tense now and since it seems unlikely to abate anytime soon, we have decided to postpone campus elections for an indefinite period. If the students can prove to us that they were cooperate in maintaining normalcy, we may conduct the polls,” he added.
