Berhampur University Closed Sine Die; Students’ Union Election Cancelled

Berhampur: Immediately after cancelling the students’ union election for the ongoing academic year, the authorities of Berhampur University closed the varsity sine die on Friday 5th October and ordered the hostel boarders to vacate with immediate effect.

As per sources, the boarders of both boys’ and girls’ hostels have been asked to vacate before 10 AM today.

The sine die closure order came last night in view of the prevailing unrest on the campus following which the varsity authorities were forced to even cancel the Students’ Union election. “In view of the ongoing students’ unrest and deteriorating academic atmosphere on the campus, the University is closed sine die,” said an official of the varsity.

As per reports, problem started after the authorities cancelled the nomination of one Ajit Kumar Swain, a General Secretary aspirant. Protesting the decision of the university, a groups of students, ransacked the office of the PG Council Chairman and later staged a dharna in front of the Government Quarters of Vice-Chancellor Rajendra Prasad Das.

The authorities claimed that despite having discussion with the student groups, they resorted to violence, which is why they were forced to cancel the elections.

A large posse of police forces has been deployed on the campus with instructions to take necessary action against unruly students as per law.

Meanwhile, former Union president Bhabani Kanta Sahu has held PG Council Chairman Debi Prasanna Pattnaik responsible for the surcharged atmosphere inside the campus and demanded his arrest.

“Those students, who have criminal cases against them, cannot take admissions in the varsity. Before joining, every student needs to submit an affidavit from the court mentioning that they have no criminal records. However, Ajit Swain had submitted a false affidavit stating that he had no cases against him. Following this, we had urged the PG Council authorities to rusticate Swain,” said Bhabani.

Bhabani further alleged, “Even the Court has violated the rules by manipulating facts in Swain’s affidavit. PG Council Chairman did not pay any heed to our requests and he should be arrested or else we will be forced to file a contempt of court petition.”