Utkal University cancels students' union elections

Tension prevailed in Vani Vihar campus after the Utkal University authorities today cancelled the students' union elections and declared sine die until further orders in the wake of pre-poll violence.
"The students' union election of Vani Vihar scheduled to be held on September 23 stands cancelled," a notification issued by the registrar's office of the varsity said.
The notification also said all the students residing in boys and girls' hostels of Utkal University, Vani Vihar, are directed to vacate their rooms latest by 6 pm today.
Meanwhile, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC have been clamped at the main gate of the university in view of tension following hurling of two crude bombs at the ladies hostel last night.

A group of students today ransacked the office of the university's vice-chancellor over cancellation of polls. Several students also staged protest against the decision of the university authorities by burning tyres inside the campus.
The police carried out flag march as outsiders came to the campus. At least six platoons (one platoon comprise 30 personnel) of force was deplyed in varsity campus.

Reports of bomb hurling in Mahasrhi College was also received at the commissionrate of police headquarters.
Irate students of SCS College in Puri also entered into a pitched battle with police who tried to stop them from ransacking the college. One inspector rank police officer sustained injury in the clash, police sources said.

Earlier, the students' union elections were also cancelled at BJB College in the state capital. BJB Autonomous College, one of the topmost colleges of the state, was closed sine die on Wednesday following pre-poll violence in the campus.
In Jeypore, students of Bikramdeb College sat on a dharna causing tension on the campus.
Students of Kakatpur Mangala College in Puri district also damaged furniture of the college over rejection of nomination of a presidential aspirant.