All eyes on Utkal University as deadline for non students to vacate hostel ends today

The four-day deadline issued to non-students occupying hostels of Utkal University expired on Thursday, raising concerns over whether the directive will be fully implemented.

According to the notice, non-students residing in Hostels 1, 2 and 3 were asked to vacate by Thursday. A list of non-students staying in Gopabandhu, Fakir Mohan, and Madhusudan hostels was also released earlier by the university administration.

Tension flared on Wednesday when some boarders at Gopabandhu Hostel allegedly locked the warden inside while he went to identify non-student occupants. The incident heightened fears of possible resistance during eviction.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sabita Acharya had earlier warned that those who refuse to vacate voluntarily will be removed with the help of police if necessary. Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj also directed the university to ensure that no outsider remains in the campus. He categorically stated that even residents from nearby localities will not be allowed to stay inside the hostels.

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“The academic atmosphere cannot be compromised. Strict action will be taken against anyone who is not a bona fide student,” the minister had said.

As the deadline lapses today, all eyes are on the Utkal University campus to see whether the eviction drive will proceed smoothly or face opposition from the entrenched non-students.