Patna: Tension on BIT-P campus after students clash

It was a free for all on the Birla Institute of Technology, Patna (BIT-P) campus near the airport, as first and second semester students clashed over a trivial issue on Tuesday.

It was a free for all on the Birla Institute of Technology, Patna (BIT-P) campus near the airport, as first and second semester students clashed over a trivial issue on Tuesday.

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Although many students were injured in the fight, no major injuries were reported. Following the scuffle, all faculty members of the institute stayed on the campus to hold talks and mediate between the two groups.

According to eyewitnesses, the scuffle began when a first semester student was allegedly beaten up by a group of seniors for taking food from the mess before them. Some first semester students intervened to rescue their batch-mate and took him to the hostel. “They came after us in the room and started beating us,” said first semester students, alleging that such incidents of ragging and forced supremacy were frequent. “The institute administration does not take action against the erring seniors,” the students alleged.

Soonafter, director in-charge SP Lal, assistant registrars, chief, associate hostel wardens and senior professors reached the place and pacified the students.

“The situation turned chaotic within a short time and led to a face-off between first and second semester students. We immediately went to the students and tried to pacify them,” BIT-P professor Sridhar Jha told HT on Tuesday evening.

He said the administration, teaching and non-teaching staff of the institute camped at the venue to normalise the situation between the two sparring groups. “As of now, the situation is peaceful,” Jha said. Sachiwalaya DSP Shibli Nomani, who also reached the spot on getting information, said the situation was under control. “The tension has subsided and the two groups are sorting things out peacefully. We are overseeing the matter,” he said.

City SP SW Lande also reached the spot by evening to solve the stalemate between students