Two student groups fight after college election, create nuisance on the road

HASSAN: Two groups of students belonging the Malnad College of Engineering indulged in arguments and fisticuffs, blocked the road, affecting free flow of traffic, after the results of the student representative elections were announced on Tuesday evening.

The students danced and burst crackers on the road.

The college conducted the election for the Mechanical branch representative on Tuesday and after the results were announced, the students approached the Extension police for permission to play DJ music and take out a procession, but it was denied. Despite this, one group of students gathered outside the college and celebrated by bursting crackers on the road, dancing and revving motorcycles. This led to traffic being affected on the Salagame Road for some time.

The police resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd.

Soon, things took an ugly turn when the victorious group and the defeated group got into a war of words and exchanged blows. Eight students suffered injuries and are being treated in hospitals. After being alerted, the police arrived on the scene resorted to mild lathicharge to disperse the crowd.

College Principal Dr C V Venkatesh said, “Every year, we conduct elections for branch representatives, but such a thing has never happened earlier. On Tuesday, the election was held for the Mechanical branch representative. We had taken undertakings from the contestants that there will be no celebrations or bursting of crackers. Yet, the students indulged in such behaviour on the road after college hours. We held a conciliatory meeting between the two students and their parents in the presence of senior police officers and the students have been warned”.

College Principal Dr C V Venkatesh and (left) SP Hariram Shankar.

Hassan Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar said, “The students had requested the college authorities to allow them to play drums, take out a bike rally and victory lap within the campus, but the college principal denied them permission and sent them out. Between 4 pm and 5 pm, the victorious group and the vanquished got into argument and there was some physical assault. We have examined videos and identified 8-10 motorcycles, which we will seize. Cases will be booked against both groups and all those who created nuisance will be identified and investigated. The Deputy SP has also met the college principal and suggested measures to ensure that such incidents don’t recur”.

Meanwhile, locals have criticised the behaviour of the students and called for strict action against them.