Students protest outside Kanika Library at Ravenshaw University on Wednesday evening. Telegraph picture

Cuttack, Oct. 30: A day after thieves decamped with the bust of the founder of Ravenshaw University, Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, the library attendant was suspended on charges of negligence.

The incident has also led to an outcry with students demanding beefing up of security measures on the campus.

On the other hand, Malgodown police today began a probe into the theft of the statue from the Hall of Fame of Ravenshaw University on Tuesday. The statue of the founder of Ravenshaw College was stolen a day after it was installed at the newly inaugurated Hall of Fame at Kanika Library.

A case has been lodged, said Rabindranath Satpathy, inspector in-charge of Malgodown police station.

The police suspect the role of insiders, while a detailed inquiry into the sequence of events from the time of opening of the library to the entry of the unidentified goons and the statements of the library attendant will be analysed.

Varsity officials are on record that two to three unidentified goons had entered the library and decamped with the bust at around 10am yesterday. One library attendant and a few students were inside the library when the thieves took away the fibre bust of Ravenshaw that was fitted on to a wooden stand.

“Today we have suspended the library attendant Somnath Behera for dereliction of duty as he did not check the identity card or any other proof while allowing the outsiders into the library,” said P.K. Mohapatra, vice-chancellor (in-charge).

The students, however, continue to raise their voice for better campus security. They want 24X7 security at prominent locations on the campus, including Kanika library and hostels.

“Installation of closed circuit television cameras is a must at Kanika Library,” said Santosh Moharana, a journalism and mass communication student.

“The decision to house the Hall of Fame at Kanika Library was not proper. The authorities should take steps for having a separate hall for the project,” said Prahalad Sahu, another student.

In another development, a group of students today staged a demonstration to protest against the installation of the statue of the founder of the college.

“We oppose the decision of the authorities to pay tributes to a foreigner,” said Subrat Sethi, a student.