Two students of Odisha's tech university allege ragging by seniors

Sambalpur (Odisha), Mar 31 (PTI) Two second-year
students of the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology
(VSSUT), Burla have brought allegations of ragging against
final year students of the institute, Vice-Chancellor in-
charge BB Pati said on Wednesday.
    He said if the allegations are found to be true,
stringent action will be initiated against those involved in
the incident.
    "The disciplinary committee, as well as the anti-
ragging cell of the institute, has started inquiries to find
out the veracity of the allegation. They will submit a
detailed report," Pati said.
    Sources in the varsity said that the alleged incident
took place in a hostel on March 28.
    According to the complaint, the senior students made
the victims kneel and asked them to introduce themselves. They
also smoked and released the smoke on their faces. They were
also asked to answer some questions, which caused mental
harassment.
    The victims also alleged that a final year student and
his friends threatened them with dire consequence if they file
any complaint about the incident with the authorities.
    The incident came to the fore barely a few days after
the authorities of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical
Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, imposed a fine of Rs
54,000 on 18 fourth year MBBS students for their involvement
in a ragging incident.
    In August 2020, a video showing around 50 students
being ragged by seniors in the VSSUT had gone viral.
    The VSSUT authorities had debarred 10 students from
appearing for the examination for one year besides slapping a
fine of Rs 2,000 each on 52 other students who were involved
in the incident. PTI COR AAM SBN
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)