BHUBANESWAR: Even as a week has passed since the disciplinary committee of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) recommended rustication of five students for ragging, the university is yet to give its final nod to the decision. The five students are from second, third and fourth year of BSc (Forestry) course.
Despite a hue and cry on the rising incidents of ragging on the agriculture university campus, the accused students are yet to be rusticated. Besides, the university administration has not yet completed its investigation into the involvement of 12 other students of Forestry department who were also accused of ragging newcomers. Although their names were mentioned in the FIR, no action against them have been recommended so far by the disciplinary committee.
On November 19, a group of first year students of the BSc (Forestry) was allegedly dragged out of their hostel rooms in the midnight and assaulted. Following the incident, their parents reported the matter to Khandagiri Police.
With Vice-Chancellor Manoranjan Kar away for a meeting in Tirupati, the decision on rustication has been put on hold for the time being. Kar said inquiry against the five has been completed and official order on rustication can only be given after he returns. On Saturday, he had informed that the final decision on the incident was postponed till Wednesday.
Dean of College of Forestry MM Hossain and Dean (Students’ Welfare) had conducted an inquiry into the incident and submitted a report to Kar on Tuesday last week.
Sources said though the new academic session has started, the OUAT administration has been slack in implementing anti-ragging measures on the campus. While students were asked to sign an affidavit not to indulge in ragging during their period of education on the campus, these affidavits have not been uploaded on the university website which is mandatory as per University Grants Commission guidelines.
Besides, none of the hostels has been brought under CCTV surveillance that is yet to maintain a third eye vigil on such incidents.