1 week ago
Burdwan Tech College Violence Sparks Questions Over Police Inaction
A violent fight broke out at a technology college in Burdwan.
It began with a disagreement between two student groups over Vishwakarma Puja.
The acting principal said a large group of outsiders then entered the campus.
He said they damaged his office and carried weapons.
Some teachers hid in a washroom until police and security personnel helped them.
Three students were injured and taken to a hospital.
The police said three students named in a complaint faced several serious charges.
However, no one had been arrested by Friday evening.
ABVP representatives denied that the organisation officially operated at the college.
An alleged ABVP-linked group vandalised the University Institute of Technology in Burdwan on Wednesday evening.
The acting principal said outsiders carrying firearms, bamboo sticks and other weapons entered the campus.
Faculty members reportedly hid in washrooms after the acting principal’s chamber was damaged and power was cut.
Three students were injured, and authorities evacuated three hostels as tension continued on Friday.
Police said three named students faced serious charges, but no arrests had been reported by Friday evening.
- Who
- Students from rival factions, alleged outsiders, college faculty, police and ABVP representatives were involved or quoted.
- What
- A clash led to alleged vandalism of the acting principal’s chamber, assaults and injuries at the University Institute of Technology.
- Where
- The University Institute of Technology in Burdwan; injured students were taken to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital.
- When
- The violence occurred on Wednesday evening; tension and police investigations continued through Friday.
- Why
- The immediate dispute concerned rival applications to hold Vishwakarma Puja, amid alleged tensions between two hostel groups.
College officials and affected students
ABVP representative
Responsibility for the violence
College officials and affected students
The acting principal and faculty members attributed the attack to students associated with an ABVP faction and alleged that outsiders were brought onto campus.
ABVP representative
ABVP Burdwan Metropolitan secretary Sushovan Chowdhury denied that ABVP had any formal organisation at the institute and said anyone could create an ABVP letterhead.
What authorities should do
College officials and affected students
College officials and injured students sought police action after the vandalism, assaults and alleged threats to campus safety.
ABVP representative
Chowdhury called for independent administrative action and said the principal should provide proof for his allegations.
Campus divisions
College officials and affected students
Students and faculty described continuing tensions between two hostel groups and alleged that local students targeted some students from neighbouring states.
ABVP representative
The ABVP representative said the incident should be investigated rather than treated as the action of an official ABVP unit.
Key facts
- Reported violence
- The acting principal’s chamber was allegedly vandalised, with furniture, computers and other equipment damaged.
- Alleged attackers
- Faculty members said around 100 outsiders entered the campus, allegedly carrying firearms, bamboo sticks and other weapons.
- Injuries
- Three students were admitted to Burdwan Medical College and Hospital.
- Security response
- Police and central force personnel reportedly rescued people sheltering inside the campus.
- Police action
- Police said three students named in the acting principal’s complaint faced charges including attempt to murder, causing hurt, grievous injury, mischief and trespassing.
- Arrests
- No arrest had been reported by Friday evening.
- Campus measures
- Authorities evacuated three hostels and police said they were patrolling the college premises.
Quotes
Sushovan Chowdhury
ABVP Burdwan Metropolitan secretary
“Two factions of the ABVP applied separately to perform Vishwakarma Puja. Both parties were granted permission. On Wednesday evening, one party gheraoed me, demanding that only their puja be allowed. As the tension between the two groups escalated, we contacted the police. But before they arrived, a clash broke out.”
telegraphindia.com
“This resulted in an unimaginable situation, with armed outsiders entering the campus and the principal’s chamber and attacking students. They disconnected the power supply, compelling us to seek shelter in darkness. We managed to take refuge in a washroom using the torchlights on our mobile phones.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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