Sambalpur/Berhampur, Dec. 28: Tension gripped the VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Burla after its students gheraoed the dean-cum-principal, protesting against the decision to accommodate students of the Sardar Rajas Medical College in the college.

On the other hand, 55 students of the Sardar Rajas Medical College of Jaring in Kalahandi district were accommodated in the MKCG Medical College in Berhampur without any opposition.

On December 26, the Veer Surendra Sai students had also locked the main gate of their institution and denied entry to 54 Rajas students, who had come to submit their allotment letters. Today also, they locked the gate to deny entry to the Rajas medics.

After the closure of Sardar Rajas Medical College following de-recognition by the Medical Council of India citing infrastructural and manpower deficiencies, Orissa High Court ordered for accommodation of 124 students of the college in the Veer Surendra Sai and the MKCG medical colleges and three private institutes in the city. Students of the two government-run medical colleges and Hi-Tech Medical College in the city have been opposing the decision. Though the students of other medical colleges have withdrawn their agitation, their counterparts in the Veer Surendra Sai are continuing with their protest.

The students gheraoed principal Santosh Behera after they came to know that the authorities had received the Rajas students' allotment letters. They, however, withdrew the gherao after the principal told them that the Rajas students had only submitted their allotment letters.

"But, the certificate verification and several other processes are yet to be carried out," said Behera.

President of the MBBS Students' Union of Veer Surendra Sai college Jayasankar Mishra said: "We will continue to oppose the decision to accommodate the Rajas in our institute and lock the main gate till December 30."

"The provisional admission of these students was completed at directorate of medical education and training in Bhubaneswar earlier. The other paraphernalia, including the certificate verification, has already been completed. We are now awaiting the green signal from the state government and the council," said MKCG medical college principal Arun Kumar Dandapata, adding that they were yet to receive the letter of permission.

"The Rajas students can be accommodated in six of the hostels. We may encourage them to go for private accommodation to avoid any untoward incidents, "he said.

The principal said they were yet to work out any modality for the Rajas students.