Utkal University unrest: Higher Education Minister assures to make varsity campus violence-free

Expressing concern over growing violence at Utkal University campus, Higher Education Minister Rohit Pujari on Saturday said steps will be taken to keep the varsity campus violence-free. 

Addressing the media, Pujari said “Police will take action against those involved in violence. We will try to ban the entry of non-students into the varsity campus.  We would hold discussion with Vice-Chancellor of the university to come up with measures to maintain law and order situation on varsity premises.”

According to sources, tension ran high at Utkal University campus on Friday evening when 8-10 unidentified miscreants carrying swords ran amok threatening students with life. Non-student miscreants arrived near the office of the Vice Chancellor (VC) inside the varsity campus and threatened the students by pointing swords. When the students ran for their lives, the miscreants damaged several vehicles parked near the VC office.  Protesting the incident, students later staged a sit-in in front of the main gate of the varsity demanding immediate action against the culprits.

Meanwhile, students have accused a corporator of sending goons. According to their allegation, the corporator’s son passed lewd comments to some girls on Friday morning which led to an argument between the two parties.