Sonepur: Students of Government Polytechnic College in Odisha’s Sonepur marched 3 km to the district Collectorate here on Friday, escalating their three-day-old agitation against principal, Vyjainto Kumar Ray.
The students have levelled serious allegations of misconduct and administrative high-handedness. “He has been misusing his position. Our parents are not allowed to visit us. He has also halted cultural programmes at the institute,” a student told a local news channel.
Complaints also include issues with mess operations and overall welfare of students, particularly concerning food quality in the hostels. They also accused the principal of behaving inappropriately with girl students,
Ray, however, has strongly refuted all these allegations.
The protesting students claimed that they had approached the district administration earlier, following which they also aired their grievances with the sub-collector on college premises. “We were promised a notice within 24 hours, but nothing happened. That is why we had to take to the streets,” a female protester said, justifying the march.
Collector Nruparaj Sahu met and pacified the students. “Students have several complaints like misbehaviour, mess operations, among others. Their main demand is the transfer of the principal,” he told the media.
Assuring the students that their grievances would be looked into promptly, the Collector added that a detailed inquiry will be conducted within the next two days and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings.
