Cuttack: Even as the SCB School of Nursing declared the institute sine die yesterday and asked students to vacate the hostel on Friday morning, many students have defied the others and continued their agitation against the authorities for allegedly protecting the principal they have accused of maltreating a fourth year student.
"Sine die is generally declared when there is any serious threat to peace on the campus. We have not resorted to any such thing. We have only raised our voice in a proper democratic manner against an autocratic principal. The additional secretary, Health and Family Welfare department, had met the SCB authorities and the probe committee to resolve the issue. But, what led them to declare the institute closed sine die within two hours of the meeting? It clearly shows that the authorities are supporting the principal madam," a protesting student said.
"The agitation will be intensified and we will not leave the place under any circumstances," another striking student said.
The six-member committee formed to probe the students' allegation had a meeting with SCB Superintendent, Principal, Director of Nursing School and faculty and Additional Secretary of Health and Family Welfare department yesterday to resolve the issue arising out of the students' allegation of ill-treatment and casteist remark levelled against the principal.
Sources said the decision to declare sine die was taken to maintain order on the campus after submission of report of inquiry committee to probe into the allegations of 4th year student Subhadra Murmu that she was misbehaved and assaulted by the Principal of Nursing School, .
The ongoing strike had taken a new turn yesterday as a group of 3rd year students, who did not participate in the protest, lodged an FIR with Mangalabag police accusing the agitating students of assaulting them.
The agitating students, however, said it was a failed bid by the administration to divide them