Berhampur: Seven students of Parala Maharaja Engineering College in Odisha’s Berhampur have expelled from their hostel for allegedly cooking beef in one of their rooms, sources said on Sunday.
According to a notification issued by the Students Welfare Dean’s office of the college on Thursday, action was initiated after students were found violating Halls of Residence (HoR) Rules and code of conduct.
“The Dean Students Welfare, Parala Maharaja Engineering College, Berhampur has expelled the following boarders from the respective HoRs, with approval of the competent authority, for their involvement in restricted activities in Room No B-23 of Falguni HoR on 11-09-2024 night, which has violated HoR Rules and Code of Conduct,” the notification read.
A fine of Rs 2,000 has also been imposed on one of the expelled students.
These students are pursuing their degree in Computer Science Engineering (CSE), Electronics and Telecommunications (ETC) and Electrical & Electronics (EE) disciplines, the notification revealed.
The issue snowballed into a controversy after Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists lodged separate complaints with police alleging that the seven, including six from minority communities, allegedly cooked and consumed beef in their hostel room on the night of September 11.
Meanwhile, Berhampur police have heightened security in the area with one platoon police to avert any untoward incident. College authorities have not spoken further about the matter, the sources added.