 |
Cuttack, Jan. 19: A day after 59 Afghan students left the city following last Thursday’s campus clash that had left three of them injured, the Ravenshaw University authorities have submitted a ‘detailed report’ to the state government regarding the circumstances that led to the conflict and subsequent events.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik asked for the report after the students from Afghanistan went to New Delhi to meet officials of the Afghanistan Embassy and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
“The vice-chancellor has submitted the report to the state government clarifying the steps taken by the authorities to deal with the situation arising out of the clash between two student groups,” said registrar Smarapriya Mishra today.
The report also highlights the steps taken by the varsity to immediately call the city police to escort a group of 10 Afghan students who were present on the campus when the clash took place on January 13.
“When we learnt that the students would be leaving for New Delhi, we had tried to convince them. Moreover, the embassy and ICCR officials have also expressed satisfaction over the steps taken by us to provide security to the students,” Mishra said.
“Adequate efforts are being initiated to ‘re-generate’ confidence among foreign students and we hope that the students will return and complete their courses,” Mishra added.
Leaders of Cuttack Banchao Committee also flayed Ravenshaw University officials, city police and the state government for failing to initiate measures to provide security to foreign students.
Committee convener Subhas Singh said: “Police had remained mute spectators when foreign students and journalists were attacked. This has tarnished the image of the university and Cuttack.”
