The situation in the Utkal University campus Vani Vihar here on Friday turned volatile before Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s visit to attend the annual function of the Students’ Union of the university.
A motorcycle rally was taken out by Students’ Congress activists in protest of the Chief Minister’s visit. However, the rally was intercepted by a posse of police personnel at the entrance of the university. This led to a scuffle between the police and the activists.
Amid the prevailing tension the police have rounded up more than fifty Student Congress activists. The police have deployed additional forces to ensure that the Chief Minister’s visit passes off without any untoward incidents, the sources added.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister attended the annual function of the students union in the university campus amid tight security and laid the foundation stones for slew of projects. He inaugurated the langauge Block and announced a investment of Rs 15 crore for the upgradation of the Central Instrument Centre. He said upgradation of infrastructure in the university is the Government’s priority.
It might be mentioned here that the university campus has many a time rocked by violence as the Congress and BJD student wings have tussled to control the affairs.