No Polls, But Violence Continues: Berhampur Varsity Students Clash With Non-students

Berhampur: Tension ran high at Bhanja Bihar campus of Berhampur University today after two groups clashed with each other, leaving one person critically injured. The injured, Debasish Mishra who happens to be a non-student, has been admitted to MKCG hospital for treatment. Police, on the other hand, have detained two students involved in the clash.

Though the varsity authorities have imposed a ban on the entry of non-students into the campus, the student leaders alleged that the authorities have failed to stop their frequent intrusions which has led to the clash.

"Debasish and a few other non-students have been frequently harassing the freshers. They also pass lewd comments on the girl students which has earlier been reported to the authorities several times. Cases also were registered against them, but no action has been taken," alleged a student.

Reportedly, Debasish today threatened a few first year PG students to which they opposed. Subsequently a violent clash erupted leaving Debasish injured.

Ex-President of the varsity students' union, V Srinivas Rao said, "Following the clash, police reached the spot and picked two of our students instead of taking action against the non-students. Despite several cases lodged against the concerned non-students, Goondaraj continues to grow in the campus. This is unfortunate."

The student leaders have demanded police to arrest Debasish and release the two students detained at the police station.

It is pertinent to mention here that group clashes have been a common affair on the varsity premises every year after commencement of a new session, but despite the fact that Odisha government has cancelled the annual students' union elections this year, incidents of violence have refused to die down.