Even as the students’ anguish against two senior lecturers of the Odia department, including the head, of the FM Autonomous College was growing among the students, a local court issued non-bailable warrants against the duo. They are facing allegation of mental, sexual and moral harassment against a few girl students.
The accused teachers are Dr Harihar Kanungo (head of the Odia department) and Dr Dinabandhu Behera. The aggrieved students demanded their suspension and arrest. While a case was registered in the Sahadevkhunta police station against the Kanungo and Behera, the police were yet to take any action against them. The students alleged that the college authority and the police were shielding them.
However, Sahadevkhunta police station IIC Paresh Rout said, “Raids are being conducted to nab the accused teachers, who are at large. The mobile phones of both are switched off.”
Notably, the students had about 10 days ago staged demonstration by closing the main gate of the college. They had submitted a memorandum to the district Collector and SP reiterating their demands.
They alleged that both the teachers were not coming to the college while the Principal was saying that they were on leave. Principal Dr Sudarshan Nayak said, “The leave for the lecturers was not extended. Hence their absence in the college beyond the leave period is unauthorised. Further, Kanungo has been removed from the post of being the head of the department of Odia. Dr Harish Chandra Barik has been given the charge.”
He added that letters had been sent to their permanent home address to join the duty. Still they had no response. He clarified that the higher authorities had been informed about their absence.