As many as 10 first year students of the Forestry Department of the Odisha University and Agriculture Technology (OUAT) here were allegedly subjected to ragging by their seniors of the same department.
On Tuesday, the victims gheraoed the Dean demanding strong legal action against the seniors. The university authorities, however, said inquiry was ordered into the matter.
“They (seniors) are torturing us physically and mentally. last week when we went to the canteen to take food, they didn’t allow us to sit and, instead, forced us to eat in a standing position. When we opposed this, a group of 10-15 seniors suddenly started attacking us, injuring some of us,” said Durgaprasad Jena, one of the victims. Meanwhile, Dean MM Husian said whoever is found guilty for ragging would not be spared. Sources said disciplinary committee has already recommended action against the errant students to the Vice-Chancellor.
The victim students and their parents, meanwhile, lodged an FIR against their seniors at the Khandagiri police station naming 12 senior students. Police also booked them under various sections of law and started investigation.
Notably, in 2013, the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) had ordered the OUAT VC to give Rs 2 lakh compensation to the family of Siba Shankar Ash, a student who became bed-ridden after being ragged by seniors in 2006.