Tension gripped the town after students of Sambalpur University clashed with the police on the premises of VSS Medical here on Thursday night. Students of the varsity were allegedly manhandled by the cops after an auto-rickshaw driver duped a student over donating blood to a pregnant woman patient.
Reports said the student, Loknath Sahu, pursuing MSW course in the university was requested by the auto driver Umashankar Pati to donate blood for the woman. As a good gesture, Sahu agreed and after blood was drawn at the Blood Bank, he went to the patient and enquired about her well-being.
At this point of time, the patient enquired whether he had received Rs 1000 paid for the blood taking the student by surprise. Shocked, Sahu investigated the payoff and could learn that while Pati had taken Rs 600, a guard in the hospital had been paid Rs 400.
Subsequently, he informed his friends in the university who turned in large number at the police outpost inside VSS Medical premises demanding arrest of those involved. A heated exchange of words ensued leading to the mandhandling of the students. The situation continued to be tense and the police have the auto driver.