SIET students clash, 1 suspended

DHENKANAL: One student has been suspended for the Friday’s clash on the Synergy Institute of Engineering and Technology (SIET). Ruling our ragging SIET chairman Binod Dash said the first year students have been asked to stay away from the campus for 10 days to avoid further disruptions.The three-day tussle between two groups of students over trivial matters, only worsened on Friday when they attacked one another. An Odia student, assaulted by Bihari students on Thursday, was admitted to district headquarters hospital. In retaliation, the third year students beat up first year Bihari students. Considering the sensitivity of the situation, the SIET directed the erring students to leave the campus. The first year students, about 150 from Bihar and 350 from the State, have been asked to stay away from the college for 10 days, said SIET officials.An emergency meeting was held in the presence of SIET Principal AM Panda in consultation with management members and teachers. Dhenkanal Town police personnel rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. However, town police station IIC Umesh Chandra Gadnayak said no allegations have been received from the assaulted student or SIET.The police, however, said some Bihari students lodged a complaint seeking protection.The student, who was assaulted in class on Thursday, is yet to report to the Principal though.  A disciplinary committee is looking into the incident, Dash said.