BPUT Students went on Rampage in Bhubanseswar

--By BNO Correspondent

People, who advocate student power, this is the least they may have expected. About 200 Engineering students from the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) went bersek in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, attacking common people and damaging properties worth millions of rupees.

The immediate provocation for such an action was attributed to the failure of talks between BPUT Administration and the students over the latter's demand for withdrawal of the "year back system". This system already criticism and protests from all quarters, as it allows detention of a student for an academic year if he or she fails in more than four out of 12 subjects.

When the students went on rampage, police remained mute spectators. The students took control of the long road between Master Canteen Square and Ram Mandir Square. To the utter surprise of the public and media persons present on the spot, they used stones, iron rods and sticks to damage vehicles and attack the common people. According to sources, at least 100 two-wheelers and over 50 four-wheelers have been damaged in the mayhem. At least 20 civilians were injured.

Police personnel reached the spot only when the violence was over. They then picked whoever present on the spot. Ironically, the Kharavela Nagar Police Station is not too far from the road where the violence took place. The police had arrested about 80 students, including girls, but all of them were released on bond. According to the police officials, the rampaging students will not be sent to court and no further action will be initiated against them.

The student violence came just in the eve of the Orissa Bandh planned by the opposition parties on September 10. That's why people smell foul play in this unprecedented incident. According to confidential sources and eye-witnesses, some students were seen discussing with Congress workers inside the premises of Congress Bhavan hours before the students resorted to violence. It has also been reported that local goons and Congress workers joined the students to damage the public and private property and attack the passers-by. The police and administration are investing the matter. Truth is expected to come out within a few days.

The latest episode put a question mark on our education system and law and order. Can we trust and rely on such students who are said to be the future of our country. Can we trust such a callous police administration that remain mute spectator to such a condemnable incident. And finally, who will compensate those car and motorcycle owners who have been punished for no fault of theirs? They might have invested their hard-earned money to buy a vehicle for their family. But everything is lost in a moment of madness. Will the CM address the concerns of people, who have been suffered on this unfortunate incident? He must, as he claims to be the people's CM. Let's hope that the better sense prevails at last.