GIS Training programme begins at SMIT

Rangpo,Nov19 : Two week long training on Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System began at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Science and Technology (SMIT) on November 17. Computer Science and Technology Department of SMIT has organized the programme sponsored by Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Chief Guest Dr. A Jayaram, Chief Scientist of ISRO, Kharagpur, lighted the inaugural lamp. Science and Technology Department Secretary Mr. A. Aravatia, guest of honour, and Director SMU, Dr. MV Subba Rao were present in the inaugural session.
Dr. Jayaram spoke on the importance of science and technology in modern days. Science and Technology plays a vital role in development of a country, he said. Participants from Assam, Orissa, West Bengal along with students from North Eastern states and more than 50 participants from Sikkim are attending this two week long programme.
Resource persons of national and international level will give lecture to participants. Dr. Jayaram, Senior Scientist from IIT Kharagpur, Dr. S Sengupta, Dr. S Choudhary from Kolkata, Dr. S Rohatgi from North Bengal University (NBU), Dr. K Pathak from Indian Institute Of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, Dr. Ashok Sen, Mr. Pradeep Kumar (Forest Department, Sikkim), Mr. LP Sharma from Sikkim, Prof. MK Ghosh from SMIT, Majhitaar, and Mrs. R Pradhan, Mr. Rohit Bhatnagar, Mr. B Sen, Mr. S Mishra, Mr. Bhusan Chettri and Mr. M Pradhan will take part in the programme which will be concluded on November 23.

26 SMIT students suspended for rioting & Clash

GANGTOK, October 6: Classes in Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) at Majitar resumed from today after almost one month since a clash broke out two groups of students.

The SMIT had suspended classes on September 8 after a volley ball match issue snowballed into a major clash and full scale rioting by the students that required strong measures from the police. The authorities also ordered the suspension of the classes, prematurely, for the Puja vocations and the institute resumed classes from today on a peaceful note.

Meanwhile, 26 students have been identified by the SMIT authorities as those who instigated the clash and rioting.

Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) Vice Chancellor Brig (retd) Surjit Singh Pabla said today that 26 students of SMIT have been identified for suspension for their involvement in the incident as per the interim report of the seven member empowered committee. The committee had been constituted to probe into the SMIT students’ clash.
Out of the 26 students, suspension orders for 17 have been issued and their concerned guardians have been intimidate for the decision of the institute, said the VC. Suspension orders for the remaining students involved in the incident are under process, he said.
The suspension order ranges from two to four weeks.
Brig Pabla said that a number of other students of SMIT have still to depose themselves before the committee and final action will be taken after that. Submission of the final report by the committee is still pending and action against some more students in future cannot be ruled out, he added.
At the same time, the VC asserted that the SMU administration is very much conscious in dealing against those responsible for the September 8 incident since they are students.
Brig Pabla said that a number of steps have been taken by the SMU in consultation with the State government to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future.
A chief security officer and a chief hostel warden for the both the campuses have been appointed. Brig (retd) SR Mazagavankar is the chief security officer for SMIT and he joined duty from the third week of September, it is informed.
Fifteen private security guards too have been deployed at the SMIT campus. The management is also keen to recruit more security personnel in future.
A special operation procedure has also been formulated by the university to prevent re-occurrence of such incidents, said the VC. He added that several teams of teachers have been constituted at SMIT to keep a watch on the activities of the students in the hostels and in the campus as well.

Sikkim Manipal (SMIT) reopens for academic activities

Gangtok,October5: Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) today reopened after nearly a one month-shutdown, following violence between two groups of students.

Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) vice-chancellor Brig (rtd) SS Pabla told PTI "academic activities resumed in the SMIT campus here from today and almost all outstation students have returned for studies".

On the measures to maintain law and order in the SMIT campus, Pable said that a three-tier set up had been put in place to address the grievances of the students.

About the investigation into the clashes between rival group of students that left seven injured, the vice-chancellor said that an inquiry was on and the final report would be submitted soon by the seven-member committee.

"Apart from the inquiry, we have suspended about 25 students, ten of them for their direct involvement in the brawl with fellow students and seven-eight others on charges of damaging properties in the campus and the rest for indiscipline"", Pabla said.

Further action will be taken against all those found guilty of various charges of offence, he said

Sikkim Manipal Tech School denies regional overtones in clashes

Gangtok , Sept 25 : Clashes between rival group of students in the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) campus earlier this month was a result of personal differences without having any regional overtones, the university vice-chancellor said today.

It was a fallout of"personal issues"among the students following verbal arguments during a volley ball, and not between"the locals and outsiders," Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) Vice-Chancellor Brigadier (Retd) S S Pabla told reporters here quoting an interim inquiry report by a seven-member committee.
Investigation on the incident would be completed within a couple of days, he said, adding that adequate security arrangements would be in place by the time academic activities resume after the vacations.

Two group of students had attacked each other in the SMIT campus on September 7 and 8, in which seven students, all from outside the state, had sustained injuries.

The SMIT campus was subsequently closed down for 10 days due to law and order problem and the outstation students were ordered to return home.

SMIT to resume classes from October five

Gangtok, Sept 17 (PTI)  Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) will resume classes for the under-graduate students from October five even as the classes for post-graduate students have already started from September 15.

The institute was closed two weeks ago after the violent clashes between rival groups in which seven students, all outstation ones, were injured.

"We have decided to resume under-graduate classes from October five next after Dusshera vacations and the parents of the wards have been accordingly intimated in this regard," Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) Vice-Chancellor Brigadier (retd) Surjit Singh Pabla told PTI here today.

The classes for post-graduate students have already commenced from September 15, Pabla said.

On the situation in the SMIT campus in the wake of the clashes, the SMU vice-chancellor said the normalcy has returned to the campus even as the inquiries being conducted by the state government and the university were going on.

Sikkim Govt inquiring into violence in SMIT campus

Gangtok, September 16 : The government is conducting a separate inquiry into the violence in the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) campus in which seven students were injured, a state minister said Tuesday.
"We are conducting an inquiry into the violence in the SMIT campus resulting in injuries to several students and the subsequent closure of the institute for some days... those found guilty will be severely punished," Sikkim Human Resources Development Minister N K Pradhan told reporters here.
The inquiry by the HRD officials will be a separate from one being carried out by the SMIT, Pradhan said.
Apparently stung by the outcry in the media to bring disrepute to the name of a peaceful state like Sikkim, the minister said that the state government will also seek a role for itself in the administration and management of the private institute.

CM assure local SMIT students of appropriate actions

Committee headed by retd. Chief Justice formed by State govt to look into private institutions
Students in favour of early reopening of SMIT
GANGTOK, September 12: Chief Minister Pawan Chamling today assured the local students of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) that appropriate actions will be taken over the September 9 clash that took place in the Majitar campus.
The assurance was given during a meeting of the Chief Minister with a group of local students today afternoon at his office in Tashiling Secretariat, said one of the students who attended the meeting.
In the meeting which lasted little over a half an hour, the students briefed the Chief Minister about the September 9 incident which led to the suspension of the classes at SMIT till further incident.
We highlighted to the Chief Minister that there is no government body to regulate institutions run by Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) and we requested that for an intervention from the government side so that it can regulate and take charge when such incidents happen, said the students.
The students also submitted a detailed report on the incident starting from the volley ball match till the last meeting at the campus on September 9. They also submitted copies of misreported newsitems placed in the internet over the incident along with the corrigendum copies and photos of the incident.
The students also appealed the Chief Minister that no student should be allowed to be victimized by the SMU authorities over the incident. We are apprehensive that some students may be victimized as there are students who have been victimized by the college authorities, they said.
In turn, it is informed that Chief Minister assured the students of appropriate actions from the State government side over their grievances and requests.
The Chief Minister told us that a committee headed by a retired Chief Justice will be formed to look into private institutions like Manipal in the State, said the students. The decision to form the committee was taken during the cabinet meeting today, it is informed.
The students were also asked to close the issue and win hearts through studies.
The Chief Minister also asked for cooperation from the students and has assured that no victimization will be allowed, said the students.
The students said while they are waiting from some initiatives from the State government, they are anxious to have the college reopened soon for classes. We are for the swift resumption of the classes as our studies are being hampered, the students said

SMIT clash rumours denied

GANGTOK, September 12: The authorities of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) have today denied rumours that the recent clash at the institute was initiated by Sikkim HRDD Minister’s son.
In a press statement, the authorities have said that Sikkim HRDD minister’s son does not study at SMIT, Majhitar.

SMIT follow-up: AGP MP moves Kapil Sibal

NEW DELHI, Sept 11 – AGP Rajya Sabha MP Kumar Deepak Das has urged Minister of Human Resources, Kapil Sibal to intervene in the incidents of attack on students in Sikkim, Shillong and Punjab. The MP quoted the Minister as saying that as the incident involved a private university it is difficult to control. He also pointed out that law and order was state subject.

Das, said he has urged the H R D Minister to take urgent steps to ensure return of academic atmosphere in the institutions. He also alleged that the institutions took huge amount of money from students during the admission promising facilities that were never provided.

Meanwhile, a student of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) on condition of anonymity told this newspaper that on September 7, evening a heated arguments took place between the ‘local’ students and ‘outsiders’ over a volleyball match. This erupted into a clash between the two groups on the following day. The ‘local’ students bashed up ‘outsiders’ and vandalised the college buildings and premises.

Sensing trouble the authorities called in the Sikkim Police, which too was not of much help and instead lathi-charged the students. The teachers too left the students to fend for themselves.

Fearing for their lives the students barricaded themselves inside their hostel rooms. They piled up almirahs, beds, and tables to jam the doors, so that no one can open it. They remain so barricaded throughout the night of September 8.

Meanwhile the students were given marching orders the same night, the victim said. The students’ frantically called up their parents.

In the morning of September 9 all the hostel students including girls, were rounded up and cramped into buses and dumped at Siliguri Railway station. Some of the outstation students had not reached their home even till September 10 and were languishing at various stations- as they took whatever train they could enter

(ASSAM TRIBUNE)

Sikkim Manipal sends 2,000 home after student clashes

Nearly 2,000 students from across the country have been sent back home after clashes between “local students” and those from other States forced the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology at Mazitar in Sikkim to shut down indefinitely.

“A skirmish between two students after a volleyball match on September 6 escalated into a major clash between two student groups on the campus,” Deputy Inspector-General (Range) Sridhar Rao told The Hindu over telephone from Gangtok. The police had to resort to tear-gas and lathi-charge to disperse them, he added.

The situation deteriorated to such an extent that one group put up roadblocks to prevent students from leaving the campus even after the decision to shut it down had been taken, said Mr. Rao.

Nearly 350 students from West Bengal were unable to get back home on Tuesday night, said West Bengal’s Minister for Youth Service Kanti Ganguly.

“I had to get in touch with the Home Secretary (Ardhendu Sen) and Inspector-General of North Bengal (K. L. Tamta) to ensure that they were escorted back safely,” Mr. Ganguly added.

The institute, located near Rangpo on the border between West Bengal and Sikkim and affiliated to Sikkim Manipal University, attracts students from across the country. Twenty per cent seats are reserved for government quota which is available for Sikkimese students only.

“Minor scuffles between local students and those from other States do take place sometimes, but this time the situation went out of hand,” said the Director of the institute, Dr. N.V.S. Reddy.

As the disagreement between the two groups grew violent, the management of the institute asked the police to intervene on September 7, Mr. Rao said, adding that the police were able to bring the situation under control and adequate police personnel were stationed at the campus through the night.

However, the next morning students went on the rampage again, even attacking policemen, at which point the police resorted to lathi-charge and tear-gas. Later in the evening, at a meeting between student representatives and the management, mediated by the police, it was decided to shut down the campus, Mr. Rao said.
(The Hindu)

SMIT may resume academic activities from Sept 20 next: VC

Gangtok,Sep10:  Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, which was closed down following clashes among two groups of students on Tuesday, today said it may reopen on September 20.

"We are deliberating on resuming academic activities from September 20, but there is another proposal to do so from September 29 after Dussehra festival. The final decision will be taken very soon and the outstation students'will be intimated about the decision," Sikkim Manipal University Vice Chancellor S S Pable said.

Clashes broke out on September 8 between two groups of students divided on local vs outsider lines. Seven students were injured during the clashes at SMIT campus at Majitar, about 40 km from here.

Pable said adequate security measures will be put in place in the varsity to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future. The process of hiring private security guards and retired army personnel will begin soon, he said.

The Vice Chancellor said enquiry was underway and documentary evidence was being collected to identify those students involved in the violence.

Sikkim Congress flays Chamling govt for SMIT clash

Gangtok, Sept 9 : Congress today flayed the Pawan Kumar Chamling government for its failure to handle the law and order situation arising out of the clashes between students of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT).

Chamling's claim that Sikkim is an abode of peace and tranquillity has been "dented irreparably" due to the violence in SMIT campus yesterday in which seven students were injured, Sikkim PCC general secretary K N Lepcha said in a statement.

The incident had communal and regional overtones akin to that of Maharashtra, he alleged adding that he was not at all surprised at the regional politics that was played out in the institute.

The clash reflected Chamling government's outlook of breeding regional sentiments among the people for the sake of political power, he said and urged the people not to be swayed by its communal and divisive policies.

- Agencies

Assam Health Minister Dr. Hemant Biswa Sharma satisfied with SMIT situation

Gangtok, September 9: Assam Health Minister Dr. Hemant Biswa Sharma has expressed his satisfaction over the SMIT clash between the two groups student were found normalcy after the local administration has enterfered into the matter on September 8.
Dr. Sharma reached Sikkim this evening for personally assesses the situation and has taken stock of the situation prevailed from last Monday over the clash between the two groups of students with in the college premises.
He said that the situation is under control and satisfactory over the situation that panic the parents of North-eastern states especially from Assam where large number of students are studying in SMIT adding that the state administration effort to resort the situation normalcy was appreciated.
Dr. Sharma has first met the senior police officials and district administration at Rangpo Tourist Guest House where SP East M S Tuli along with District Collector D. Anandan, SDM Gangtok AB Karki and SDPO Rangpo H P Tewari has briefed on the situation.
The district administration further briefed the condition of injured students that they are admitted in Central Manipal Referral Hospital yesterday.
Later on, Assam minister has visited the engineering college and has discussed with the college administration on the situation.
It is informed that health minister Dr. Sharma has also discussed on the law and order situation and security measures with the CM Ravindran, Director General of Police (DGP) and other top brass for further security measures

No security on Manipal campus, say those leaving Sikkim Tech school

Rangpo & Siliguri Sept. 9: Nearly 400 students of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology came down to the plains today and said they would return only if the authorities promised security on the campus.

The institute, 44km from Gangtok, which had been rocked by clashes between hostel residents and local day scholars over the past few days, became a war zone yesterday with police storming a hostel at one point after being hit by stones.

The tech school was shut down indefinitely after the incident but students could not leave hostels on the campus as local people laid siege to the campus till late last night.

After the siege was lifted, the Sikkim government arranged for buses and taxis to ferry students wanting to leave for Siliguri.

“We have paid a huge amount for our courses and we will return to the SMIT only because of that. The management of the institute will have to ensure our security on the premises,” a first-year student of applied electronics and instrument from Bandel in Hooghly said at the bus stand in Siliguri.

About a third of the institute’s 4,000 boarders are from Bengal.

The students complained that no security had been arranged for them on the way down. “We saw two police constables, carrying sticks, seated in one of the buses that brought the students down. If this is security, we have nothing more to say,” said a first-year mechanical engineering student from Upper Assam.

One of the students stuck in hostel last night had said: “We are being targeted by outsiders.”

The vice-chancellor of Sikkim Manipal University, S.S. Pabla, today said in Gangtok the institute was approaching the police for a permanent picket on the campus. “I thank the police and the state government for defusing the situation. I also appeal to the police to take up the investigations sensitively as the future of students is at stake. We will open the institute soon,” he said.

Many of the boarders stayed back in their hostels.

The clashes had started on Sunday over a foul during a volleyball friendly. Three hostel residents were thrashed allegedly by local students accompanied by outsiders during the brawl, which then assumed a different colour altogether.

In Sikkim, East district superintendent of police M.S. Tuli said 130 taxis and 18 buses had been arranged to ferry the students to Siliguri. “They started vacating the hostels from early in the morning.”

North Bengal inspector-general K.L. Tamta said police stations on the students’ route had been put on alert.

Local students blame police & management for fuelling violence at SMIT

GANGTOK, September 9: The local students studying at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) today said that the inefficiency of the police and the SMIT management has given rise to yesterday’s violence at the college campus.
Addressing a press conference here this evening, the locals pursuing studies at SMIT alleged that the State Government, police and the SMIT management were not too serious to carry out any independent investigations. They also accused the police of lathi-charging and injuring eight students without knowing the actual reason.
Ongden Bhutia, one of the victims told media persons that the situation went out of hand when an Army vehicle tried to take away the students out of the campus.
They also alleged that the SMIT and police did not even try to pacify the situation and bring it under control.
At the same time, the students denied of their involvement in ransacking the computers, instruments and other properties of the college. “We, the local students were out of the campus gate which was locked from inside, so there is no question of vandalizing the college,” Diwas Poudyal, another student added.
The students have further requested the SMIT management to call back their decision of shutting down the college until further notice and resume the studies as usual.
“We have always welcomed the students from outside the state in our institution and wanted to maintain that intimacy,” Sharad Dhamala told media persons.
On the other hand, the All Sikkim Student Union said that the incident was unfortunate and should not have taken place.
Santsosh Shivakoti, the general secretary of the Union has requested the SMIT management to recover all the losses of the students.
It was informed that many students have lost their laptops, mobiles, cash and other valuables during the entire frenzy.
The Union has at the same time appealed the state government and the concerned authorities to resolve the matter at the earliest.

High level enquiry team formed to take action against guilty students: VC

GANGTOK, September 9: Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) Vice Chancellor Brig. S Pabla today said that strategies like Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) and counseling will be put in place soon to avoid situations in future that occurred yesterday where students engaged in a full scale rioting at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology (SMIT) campus.
“We will talk with officials of Sikkim Police to formulate strategies like SOPs to avoid such situations in future and to stop before it happens”, said the VC in a press meet today evening at the conference hall of Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIMS), Tadong.
The VC further said that a proper security cell handled by a retired army or police officer could be considered as a safety measure.
“The university will also be holding special counseling sessions with the students and their parents after the students come back”, said Brig. Pabla. He informed that the SMU along with the State authorities have taken a collective decision to suspend classes till further notice and students asked to vacate the hostels and proceed towards their homes as a precautionary measure.
“It is expected that the institute will reopen after the next ten days”, said the VC. He informed that all the students have been send back home with arrangements made for transport and security of the students to reach Siliguri. The faculty members will return back only after ensuring that all students have boarded trains or buses for their respective hometowns.
“The step was taken to cool down tempers since the small scuffle in a volleyball court was blown out of proportion and misrepresented as a clash between ‘local’ and ‘non local’ students”, said Brig. Pabla.
The VC informed that a high level inquiry team has been constituted to probe into yesterday’s incident in an unbiased manner. “We will use evidence available to see who is guilty. We are looking the students as children and treat them as such”, he said indicating a lenient approach.
While downplaying the clash as minor issue that was brought under control ‘immediately’, Brig. Pabla admitted the entire episode could have been avoided if strong measures had been immediately taken after the volleyball incident. “We missed the opportunity to stop the incident”, he said.
Regarding the cases lodged against some SMIT students at Rangpo police station, the VC said that the SMU is of the view that any student should not be dragged into criminal records considering their future.
The VC also claimed that the exemplary coordination between the university, State police and State government in diffusing the situation in a very short time is noteworthy. This cooperation and coordinated action has ensured that there are no serious injuries to any student or staff, he said.
Brig Pabla expressed his gratitude of the SMU to the full cooperation extended by Sikkim Police and State government.

Students flee Sikkim cradle clash

Students board a bus to Siliguri on the SMIT campus around 10am on Wednesday.
Ranchi/Jamshedpur, Sept. 9: A day after the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology was shut after a series of clashes, students from the state have started leaving the campus near Gangtok even as Governor K. Sankaranarayanan directed the chief secretary to talk to the Sikkim government to ensure the safety of boarders from Jharkhand.

At least eight students were injured in the clashes between boarders and day scholars that was triggered on Sunday after a minor dispute during a volleyball match.

On the instructions of the Governor, state chief secretary Shiv Basant spoke to his Sikkim counterpart Jasbir Singh, who said that only six students from Jharkhand sustained minor injuries. All were released from hospital after proper treatment.

At least 90 per cent of boarders at the institute were from Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, Singh confirmed. Around 300 of them belonged to Jharkhand.

According to a Raj Bhavan communiqué, Basant was also told that the situation was under control and instructions had been given to the Singtam district administration to provide security to, and ensure the safety of, all students, including those from Jharkhand.

The hapless students — several of them studying in first semester — who left the campus this morning were now on their way back home.

The Telegraph tracked one of them, Nirmal Kumar (name changed), in New Jalpaiguri.

“Following the dispute in the match, a junior local student called goons from outside and launched an attack on us with hockey sticks and iron rods on Monday afternoon. The situation on the campus was tense though policemen were deputed. This morning, we took a taxi to reach Gangtok, which is 35km from our college,” the son of a Jamshedpur doctor said, relieved after having reached Bengal .

“Other day scholars also stopped the ambulance carrying injured students to hospital. They dragged them out and beat them up again,” Nirmal alleged, adding six of his friends were also coming back to the steel city.

The college administration — which failed to broker peace even after involving the local administration — had arranged two buses for taking the students to Gangtok from the campus at Mazitar.

But the terrified students refused to board the bus as they were told that they could be attacked on their way to Gangtok, said one of them. They later organised a taxi to reach New Jalpaiguri.

Meanwhile, Ramgarh deputy development commissioner Paramjeet Kaur today rushed to Mazitar, as her son Harshpreet Singh, was reportedly injured in the clash. “I will be in a position to talk in detail only after I see my son hail and hearty,” Kaur said.

Former Indian Medical Association vice-president Ajay Kumar Singh supported Kaur saying several of his relatives and friends had admitted their wards in the institute. “Sometimes labourers of the state going to earn their breads come under the attack, sometimes students,” Singh said.

(The Telegraph)

PHOTOS : SIKKIM MANIPAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY CLASH

Manipal shuts down after clash for 10 days

Gangtok, Sept. 8: The Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology has been shut down till further orders after a series of clashes between boarders and day scholars since Sunday culminated into a raging brick battle this morning, forcing police to burst tear-gas shells and conduct a lathi-charge on the campus.

Eight students were injured. All of them were released from Singtam District Hospital after first aid.

The police stormed a boys’ hostel this morning after a constable was injured by a brick missile hurled from one of them, sources said. The SMIT authorities said arrangements would be made for those wanting to leave the hostels. Those unwilling can stay back.

Throughout the day a 300-strong mob blocked the roads leading out of the campus, making it impossible to shift the boarders — 4,000 of them — from the two boys’ and one girls’ hostel, the police said. They said if needed the transfer of the boarders would be done with the help of the army. However, the army has not been called yet. Personnel of the Sikkim police, Sikkim Armed Police and the Indian Reserve Battalion have been deployed.

Some of the injured students at the Singtam district hospital.

A fourth year BTech student of mechanical engineering and a resident of Calcutta’s Lake Gardens, not wanting to be named, said: “We have been told that we will be escorted to Siliguri at 4.30am tomorrow by the army. I have been in touch with my parents and I will return to Calcutta either by flight or take a train. We had examinations till September 24, but now as the institute is shut for the next few days we will return only after Durga Puja.” The student said around 30 per cent of the boarders is from Bengal.

Bengal home secretary Ardhendu Sen said if the SMIT authorities want the Bengal government’s help to evacuate students from the state, it would be extended.

“However, we have not received any such proposal till now from them. If students from Bengal face any problems, we are there to help them,” Sen told The Telegraph in Calcutta.

Senior police officers and S.S. Pabla, the vice-chancellor of Sikkim Manipal University to which the SMIT is affiliated, were busy negotiating with the students to restore normality on the campus, 44km from here at Mazitar near the Bengal-Sikkim border town of Rangpo.

According to senior students of the SMIT, trouble first broke out on Sunday afternoon over a volleyball match being held as part Swasmitnam, an inter-departmental festival. The fight started with a squabble between a boarder and a day scholar over a foul committed in the match.

“It was a trivial issue, but soon snowballed. Three students, Ujjwal Kumar, Jitender and Gautam Jha, were beaten up by day scholars (on Sunday) who had brought in outsiders. The police instead of taking the three boys to the hospital for treatment, took them to Rangpo police station,” a fourth year student of the electrical and electronics department alleged.

He blamed hostel superintendent Kamal Thakur, and chief warden A.C. Mishra for not taking care of the injured students. “We are being targeted by outsiders and the authorities are blind to this,” the student said.

There was violence last night as well when a mob stormed the campus and another clash broke out.

The police had claimed the situation was under control, but there was another brick battle at 8am today.

A senior officer of the state armed police said last night a battalion of 115 policemen was posted on the campus and more forces were deployed after the morning’s violence.

A constable who was injured in the brick battle

“At present we are negotiating with the students and we do not want to use force on them. The institute will be shut till further orders. The trouble started with an altercation between a local boy (day scholar) and a boarder over a friendly volleyball match,” said N. Sridhar Rao, the deputy inspector-general (range) who is camping on the campus. The superintendent of police of East Sikkim, M.S. Tuli, is also there.

An officer said the local boys have been demanding that 20 of the boarders involved in the clash be identified and rusticated. “Eight students from both sides have been injured,” the officer said.

Sikkim human resource development secretary R. Telang said the situation was being monitored. “We will intervene only if the SMIT authorities fail to restore normality,” Telang said.

Vice-chancellor Pabla said the institute would be shut till further orders. “But it is likely to open within 10 days. An inquiry will be conducted against all involved in the incident.”

Assam Health Minister Sarma to visit Sikkim for safety of students

GUWAHATI, Sept 8 – Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is leaving for Sikkim tomorrow to take stock of the situation in Sikkim Manipal University in view of the fact that large number of students from the State are studying in the University. Sarma said that safety of the students of Assam in Sikkim is the main concern of the Government of Assam and that is why he has decided to go to Sikkim tomorrow.


Sarma revealed that immediately after hearing the news of disturbance and clashes in the University, he spoke to the Sikkim Chief Secretary and requested him to take care to ensure safety of the students from Assam. “The Chief Secretary of Sikkim assured me that adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure security of the students,” he added.

The Minister said that during his visit he would personally assess whether all the students from Assam are safe and sound. He would also meet Sikkim Chief Minister to request him to take steps to ensure security of the students from Assam in future too