The Utkal University, which was closed sine die from September 18 following widespread violence in the campus, reopened on Monday. The students were allowed to enter the campus and hostels by police only after they produced their identity cards at the main gate.
However, tension again prevailed after a section of students gheraoed the office of university Vice-Chancellor Soumendra Mohan Patnaik demanding elections to the Students’ Union.
They also confronted Prof Patnaik while he was coming out of his office chamber along with PG Council Chairman Brahmananda Satpathy and the Students’ Union Committee Advisor.
The students questioned the VC on what grounds he cancelled the Students’ Union poll and why he is not holding any discussion with them on the matter.
They demanded that the authorities reconsider the issue and conduct Students’ Union polls since the university is an autonomous body. However, the authorities refused to comment on the demand. Meanwhile, PG Council Chairman said that all examinations would be conducted by October 25.