Jharkhand News: BIT Sindri evacuates 1st year students from hostel after clash with seniors

SUBHASH MISHRA

Dhanbad, May 13: In a swift move following a late-night clash on campus, BIT Sindri authorities evacuated all first-year students from the hostel on Tuesday morning. The incident involved a physical altercation between groups of first- and third-year students over a seemingly trivial issue.

BIT Sindri Director Dr. Pankaj Rai stated that since the summer vacation is imminent, first-year students were asked to vacate the hostel and focus on completing their upcoming internship scheduled for June-July. He clarified that the step was also taken to facilitate a thorough inquiry into the clash.

Not A Ragging Incident

Dr. Rai confirmed that both the BIT administration and local police would carry out independent investigations. “Video footage of the incident is being gathered, and action will be taken against those found guilty,” he said. The authorities ruled out any connection to ragging.

Sequence of Events and Retaliation

According to reports, the conflict began around 7 p.m. on Monday at the main gate of BIT Sindri. A first-year student, allegedly accompanied by an outsider, assaulted a third-year student following a heated argument. The injured student then returned to his hostel and informed his peers.

At approximately 11 p.m., a group of third-year students reportedly arrived at the first-year hostel in over a dozen vehicles and attacked students indiscriminately. At least three students were reportedly injured in the violence.

Administration’s Immediate Response

BIT Sindri Director Dr. Pankaj Rai, Career Development Centre Chairman Dr. Ghanshyam, Hostel Superintendent Dr. R.K. Verma, Dr. Prasant Kumar, all eight hostel superintendents, and senior faculty members rushed to the scene. They remained at the hostel overnight to ensure the safe departure of first-year students.

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A senior BIT official emphasized that the conflict involved two student groups and should not be seen as a general first-year versus third-year dispute. “Senior students did not interfere with juniors when they left the campus in the morning,” he added.