College Principal, Accountant ‘Manhandle’ Odisha Student, Video Goes Viral

Mayurbhanj: A video purportedly showing the principal and accountant of Anchalika Degree Mahavidyalaya at Gopabandhu Nagar in Mayurbhanj district manhandling a student has gone viral.

The video which was reportedly shot in the principal’s chamber shows the college principal, Manoj Sahu, and the accountant engaged in a heated argument with the student, Debasish Mohanty.

While the accountant, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, is seen arguing with the student, the principal suddenly snatches Debasish’s cellphone and smashes it against the ground.

According to sources, Debasish, a Plus III third year student of the college, had applied for college leaving certificate (CLC). But the college principal had allegedly demanded Rs 5,000 as bribe from him for issuing the certificate and later increased the amount to Rs 7,500. As the student refused to pay the bribe, an argument ensued.

“When the principal refused to issue me the CLC, I asked him to give it in written which angered him. Later, the principal and accountant attacked me. When I took out my cellphone to call my parents, he snatched it and smashed it against the ground. Then they detained me in the room,” the student alleged.

On the other hand, the principal brushed aside the allegations and accused the student of misbehaviour.
“As he was behaving rudely I had to close the cabin door to call the IIC. While taking away his cellphone, I dropped it inadvertently. I will convene a meeting and resolve the issue mutually,” the principal said.

Following the incident, tension erupted at the college with students resorting to agitation. The students blocked the main gate of the college and burnt tyres protesting the alleged highhandedness of the principal and accountant. They also demanded immediate transfer of the principal.