Two colleges in Odisha’s Jajpur district have cancelled student union elections after escalating violence, including an alleged bomb attack on the premises of Vyasanagar Autonomous College in Jajpur Road, prompting a campus closure, hostel evacuation and increased police deployment.
Unidentified persons allegedly hurled bombs at the college principal’s office and a boys’ hostel on Wednesday night, a day after the election notification was issued, according to the report. No injuries were reported in the supplied account, but the incident led the college’s election and academic committees to unanimously recommend cancelling the student union election.
Vyasanagar Autonomous College was ordered to remain closed from 1 pm on Thursday until further notice. Students staying in the hostels were directed to vacate the premises by Friday morning as authorities moved to prevent further disturbances on the campus.
Police reached the college after the incident and deployed a platoon in and around the institution. Officers are examining CCTV footage from the campus and nearby areas to identify those responsible. The police have also increased surveillance at other educational institutions in the district amid concerns over further election-related unrest.
Ashis Sahoo, inspector-in-charge of Jajpur Town police station, said a case had been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Explosive Act. “Raids are underway to identify and arrest those involved,” Sahoo said. He added that strict action would be taken against those responsible for creating panic and disturbing public order. No arrest had been made by Thursday evening, according to the report.
The disruption has also affected Upendranath Sarada College at Khairabad in Jajpur district. The college cancelled its students’ union election through a notification citing “unavoidable circumstances” on campus. The decision followed a unanimous resolution by members of the staff association.
The back-to-back cancellations have put student elections across the district on hold as colleges and police prioritise campus security. At Vyasanagar Autonomous College, the immediate next steps include continued police investigation, review of CCTV footage and security arrangements before the institution’s reopening or any decision on rescheduling the election.
