A late-night series of bomb explosions tore through the premises of Vyasanagar Autonomous College just hours after the institution issued a notice for student union elections.
Three blasts were reported inside and near the campus around 3:15 a.m. on Wednesday night, and one unexploded bomb was later recovered. No injuries were reported, but the incident triggered fear, student agitation, and an immediate decision to shut the college and suspend the election.
The state government had recently cleared the way for student union elections after a long gap. In line with that decision, Vyasanagar Autonomous College issued its election notification on Wednesday, with nomination filing scheduled for October 9. The blasts struck before that process could begin.
College principal Akshaya Kumar Tripathy said the explosions were so intense that his official residence shook and was filled with smoke. Professors from the physics and chemistry departments also reported hearing the blasts. A subsequent check by the principal and staff found blast marks near the college gate, beside a culvert, and at a third spot. An unexploded bomb was discovered at the site. The force of one blast damaged windows and nearby structures on the boys’ hostel side, leaving students inside terrified.
Police, led by local officers including Jajpur Road IIC Ashish Kumar Sahu, along with the Tehsildar and a platoon of the force, reached the campus, cordoned off the area, and maintained a night-long vigil. A scientific team and bomb disposal squad later examined the spots. Investigators have not yet confirmed the exact nature of the explosives or whether the attack was linked to the election. Police have so far given no clear indication of any political party’s involvement.
By Thursday, word of the blasts had spread among students, sparking agitation on campus. Authorities kept a close watch. In campus discussions, some alleged that candidates fearing defeat, allegedly encouraged by political leaders, may have staged the incident. BJD and BJP supporters have traded accusations, each blaming the other.
Fearing further unrest, the college’s academic committee and union committee held a joint meeting and decided to declare a sine die closure from 9 a.m. on Friday and suspend the student union election. All hostel residents have been ordered to vacate. The move has disappointed aspiring candidates. Hopes that elected representatives would take the oath on October 16 have now collapsed.
Former student union president Bidyadhar Mohanty described the cancellation as a conspiracy. He argued that students’ democratic rights had already been curtailed for eight years, and that announcing elections only to cancel them in several colleges of the district amounted to a show exercise still under scrutiny.
The investigation into the blasts and their possible connection to the polls continues.
