Bhubaneswar: Even though the student union elections in colleges and universities across Orissa are slated to be held September 23, four colleges were closed sine die following sporadic violence reported from the campuses.
As per the poll notifications, while aspiring candidates can file their nominations September 16 from 9am to 12noon, the last date of withdrawal of nomination is September 18, between 2pm and 4pm.
After the withdrawal, the final list of contestants will be announced at 5pm on the same day.
“Why I stand for?” meeting will be held September 22, a day before the polling. The election results will be declared September 23. The elected student leaders will take oath September 25.
Meanwhile, violence erupted in many colleges leading to declaration of sine die. Three colleges in Jajpur and Balasore districts were declared to be closed sine die Friday due to the violence. The sine die was reportedly declared in Vyasnagar College in Jajpur district, Oupada College and Swarnachuda College in Balasore district. Meanwhile, tension arose in BJB College Friday after Thursday’s bombing in which two people including a girl were injured. Concerned about their safety and security, inmates of the women’s hostel spent sleepless night Thursday and started leaving the campus Friday morning. It started with a group of students beating up an aspiring candidate in Arts block of the college Thursday afternoon.
Things took an ugly turn inside the campus after friends of the assaulted candidate reached Badagad police station and lodged a complaint in the evening.
A group of outsiders reportedly landed up at New Ladies Hostel at 4pm and hurled a bomb at the hostel. The guard of the hostel sustained injuries in the attack. Girl students as a token of protest locked the main gate from inside demanding security. One of the students said, “We want the college authorities to do something otherwise we will leave the campus.” Girls spent a sleepless night and met Principal Md Nawaz Hassan Friday morning to report the incident to him.
Hassan assured them he will discuss the matter during the staff council meeting which would issue a notification for the students’ union election by the afternoon.
Meanwhile, the BJB college authorities also declared sine die for the institution. A bomb was also hurled at Maharishi College principal’s office. A complaint was filed with Sahid Nagar police although police did not find bomb material at the spot, sources said.
Meanwhile, two student groups filed complaints at the police station. The PG Council of Utkal University Friday held a meeting with police at the university to discuss the nomination filing and the security arrangement during election.
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