Classes resume in tech cradle Institute curbs on seniors after spar

Classes resumed at Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology (MIT) on Monday but the officials banned seniors’ entry into the juniors’ hostel rooms after clashes between student groups closed the institute for a month-and-a-half.

The institute was closed from February 7 after students clashed with each other for various reasons, including alleged eve-teasing and ragging, on the campus. Principal Anjani Kumar Nathani said he reviewed the situation on Sunday afternoon with district officials and decided to resume classes from Monday.

Examination schedule for the first- and second-year students from Tuesday have also been announced.

Nathani said: “Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bihar University, Muzaffarpur, in consultation with MIT officials, on March 17 announced the examination schedule for the first- and second-year students from Tuesday. Accordingly, the students were asked to attend classes.”

Although the students about to write their exams did not attend classes, attendance of those in third and fourth years was also thin.

Senior teacher in the civil engineering department Nirmal Kumar said attendance was thin on the first day of classes since February. Kshitij Mohan, mechanical engineering, first-year, said: “We did not attend classes on Monday, as we were busy preparing for the examination starting Tuesday.”

Police, too, remained alert on the first day of classes after the clash. Barhampura police, which registered the FIR in the case, have been directed to expedite investigation in the case to tighten the noose around the troublemakers whose names figured in the complaint. Senior superintendent of police Saurav Kumar said the investigating officer has been asked to file the chargesheet by March 30.

The institute administration on its part allotted fresh hostel rooms to the first- and second-year students involved in the clash. The district magistrate, Anupam Kumar, had instructed principal Nathani to allot those students rooms who have paid their hostel fees and whose records have been verified.

Nathani said: “Senior students staying in the hostels or in private accommodation have been ordered not to enter the rooms of the junior students. The MIT has put a blanket ban on the entry of seniors into the hostels of the juniors. Those seniors found loitering near the hostels would be dealt with sternly.”

The disciplinary committee of the institute, investigating the reasons for the clash and involvement of the students, is close to finalising its report. A member of the committee said it would be furnished within a couple of days. The panel would recommend action against those involved in the clash. Recently, the committee had summoned the guardians of 17 students allegedly involved in the clash.

The members said some of the guardians have promised in writing to restrain their wards if the committee gave them another chance.