Kolkata, Sep 10 (PTI) An educational institute in West Bengal’s Purba Bardhaman district was shut indefinitely and its hostel vacated after a clash allegedly broke out between two groups of students over organising Vishwakarma Puja on the campus, officials said on Thursday.
The incident took place at the University Institute of Technology (UIT), under Burdwan University, where several students were reportedly injured.
Police and security personnel were deployed to bring the situation under control.
The college’s officiating principal, Sushil Karfar, said two groups had separately approached him seeking permission to organise the puja.
Karfar said when he declined to hand over responsibility to either group, some teachers were allegedly confined to his room by the warring students.
“Some teachers and I were confined to my room, after which an argument started between the two student groups. They then started fighting in front of us,” Karfar claimed.
The principal alleged that furniture in his room was damaged and files and documents were ransacked during the incident.
As the situation worsened, he and others took shelter in a toilet and informed police and Burdwan University Vice-Chancellor, he said.
Student Saurav Kumar Singh said the dispute between the two groups started over organising Vishwakarma Puja.
He claimed that one group had initially obtained permission from the principal, following which another group approached him seeking suspension of the permission.
Tension escalated on the campus, and the two sides allegedly engaged in a scuffle outside the college, Singh said.
He further alleged that several outsiders entered the campus and attacked students with sticks and rods.
Some of those involved in the incident allegedly claimed to be supporters or members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).
However, ABVP’s Bardhaman city secretary Sushobhan Chowdhury denied any organisational connection with the incident, saying there was no ABVP unit at the college.
He said the incident appeared to be an internal dispute and that merely claiming to be an ABVP supporter or activist did not make someone an office-bearer or member of the organisation.
“If anyone has used the organisation’s name while being personally involved in an incident, ABVP will not take responsibility for it. If an investigation establishes that any ABVP functionary was involved, the organisation will take action,” Chowdhury said.
He urged the authorities to conduct an impartial investigation and take action according to law.
He also questioned how outsiders were allowed to enter the campus, saying that if any ABVP member was found to have been involved in the alleged assault along with outsiders, action should be taken against them as well.
The college authorities have decided to keep the institution closed indefinitely, and the hostel has also been vacated, officials said. PTI SUS MNB
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