Bhubaneswar, Dec. 26: BJB College was closed indefinitely today after boarders of BR Ambedkar hostel ransacked it to protest against the assault on three hostel mates by outsiders yesterday evening.

Police resorted to mild lathi charge on the campus to disperse the students who went on a rampage and damaged windowpanes and other property of the institute. The agitating students also pelted stones at the police.

The protesting students said three of the hostel boarders were assaulted by outsiders from Badagada yesterday evening, but the police managed to nab a minor, who happens to be the cousin of a local BJD leader.

"The group of outsiders has been continuously harassing us, but the police have remained mute spectators. As a mark of protest, we decided to block the national highway passing by the college. But instead of taking action against the outsiders, the police forcefully took away five of the protesters," said a hostel boarder.

Tension prevailed on the campus after the police detained five of the protesters and soon hundreds of hostel boarders wielding sticks and iron rods went on a rampage in the administrative block.

The students vandalised some classrooms as a result of which the college authorities had to cancel semester examinations of a few subjects that were to take place this afternoon.

"The college was declared closed sine die in view of worsening law and order. All the hostel boarders have been asked to vacate the hostel immediately. We will take stock of the situation on the campus on December 30 and a decision on the future course of action will be taken accordingly," said a college faculty member.

A police official said that though they had arrested one of the accused, who is a minor, in connection with yesterday's incident, the students were demanding that he be produced before the court immediately.

"Students also wanted to physically verify whether any of the accused have been arrested or not. We have to do paper work before producing any accused in the court," said a police officer.

Deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi said the police had detained around 10 protesters and some of them will be arrested.

"Despite police arresting an outsider involved in yesterday's incident, the students blocked the national highway and vandalised property. The police will take stringent action against the students involved in frequent unrest on the campus," said Bhoi.

The premier educational institute has witnessed several incidents of student unrest ever since the college authorities cancelled student union polls in September.

The college was earlier declared closed indefinitely on September 28 following pre-poll violence on campus.