Utkal University in Bhubaneswar witnessed chaos on Monday after a group of non-students stormed the campus, harassed shopkeepers, and attacked a hostel inmate.
Reports said four intoxicated youths, allegedly led by a man named Deepak, roamed inside the campus from the afternoon till late at night. They abused students, vandalised shops, and threw away goods belonging to vendors.
The situation worsened when the accused attacked Rashmiranjan, a Journalism and Mass Communication student, inside the hostel premises. He sustained facial injuries and rushed indoors for safety.
Hostel inmates confronted the outsiders. While Deepak fled, students caught two of his associates, thrashed them, and handed them over to the police after calling a PCR van.
Agitated students later staged a road blockade near the university’s main gate, demanding Deepak’s immediate arrest. They alleged that intoxicated outsiders frequently enter the campus and harass students, while police fail to take preventive action.
Sahid Nagar police reached the spot and assured the protesters of swift action. Following the assurance, students withdrew the blockade.
Police detained three accused persons and launched raids to trace Deepak, the prime accused.
