Keonjhar: The Ukhunda College issue took a new turn Saturday. A day after blocking of the road, students of Ukhunda Panchayat +2 College in Keonjhar district staged a demonstration near the Collectorate in Keonjhar town Saturday, protesting against the suspension of principal Surendra Mohant and the locking up of his office by the college governing body.
Students took out a rally and shouted slogans against Hrushikesh Nayak, the Patna MLA and chairperson of the college governing body.
Mohant was suspended for sharing a post in his Facebook page August 21 against Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday. The chairman of the college governing body, Hrushikesh Nayak, suspended Mohant Thursday and got his office locked.
Students said hooliganism and autocracy by any person will not be tolerated in educational institutions. Later, they submitted a memorandum to ADM Bhakta Charan Pradhan. Police were deployed near the collectorate during the demo.
Meanwhile, the police registered a case against Patna MLA and eight members of the college governing body, after an FIR was lodged by the principal of the college Friday.
Students had blocked the Baunsuli-Champua Road in Ukhunda Friday. Police had to disperse them with a lathicharge. Some students were injured in the melee. The police also booked 18 non-students and others in connection with the road blockade.
The public and traders have condemned the lathicharge on students. As the area remained tense, they sought justice for the students and compensation for the damage done to a vehicle during the lathicharge.
Baria IIC Sushantmani Mohanty said two cases are being probed.
With studies hit, guardians expressed displeasure. Mohant said the college committee cannot suspend him or lock his office and termed it as an illegal act. He said he would move the High Court.
MLA Hrushikesh Nayak said there was instruction from the top to suspend the principal. “For safety sake the principal’s office was locked after suspended principal Mohant did not hand over the charge,” he added.
PNN