What Led to BIT Sindri's Order for First-Year Students to Vacate Hostels?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Administration's swift action to maintain campus safety.
- Internal and police investigations initiated.
- Focus on upcoming internships for first-year students.
- Historical context of BIT Sindri as a premier engineering college.
- Need for conflict resolution among student factions.
Dhanbad, May 13 (NationPress) Following a violent altercation between two factions of students late on Monday night, the administration of BIT Sindri, one of Jharkhand's esteemed engineering institutions, has mandated that all first-year students vacate their hostels immediately. By Tuesday afternoon, every first-year engineering student had departed the hostel and returned home.
This decision arises amidst escalating tensions on campus after a conflict between first-year and third-year students escalated into a physical confrontation.
Institute Director Pankaj Rai stated that an internal investigation has commenced, and he assured that strict measures will be enforced against those deemed responsible.
A separate police inquiry is also in progress. CCTV footage from the campus has been secured, and efforts are underway to pinpoint all students involved in the incident.
Dr. Rai emphasized that with summer vacations approaching and internships set for June and July, the directive to vacate the hostel was also intended to help first-year students concentrate on their forthcoming training and prevent further escalation of the situation.
The conflict reportedly initiated on Monday evening when a first-year student, allegedly accompanied by an outsider, had a dispute with a third-year student.
According to sources, the first-year student physically attacked the senior, inciting outrage among third-year students.
At around 11 p.m., a group of senior students reportedly arrived at the first-year hostel in approximately a dozen vehicles and launched a retaliatory assault, injuring at least three students.
The violence prompted a rapid response from the institute's administration.
Director Dr. Pankaj Rai, Career Development Centre Chairman Dr. Ghanshyam, Hostel Superintendent Dr. R.K. Verma, Dr. Prashant Kumar, alongside wardens and senior faculty, rushed to the scene. Local police were also notified and arrived shortly thereafter.
Founded in 1949, BIT Sindri is recognized as the first government engineering college of undivided Bihar and is renowned for its academic excellence throughout the country.