The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on Sunday alleged that its activists were attacked on the premises of Ghatal College while operating a help desk for newly admitted students and demanded a swift and impartial investigation into the incident.
In a press release issued by the ABVP's Ghatal Organising District unit, the student organisation stated that it had set up a help desk at the college to assist students admitted in the new academic session with information and other necessary support. According to the ABVP, a group of alleged supporters of the Students' Federation of India (SFI), along with outsiders, attacked the help desk and its activists.
ABVP claims several activists injured, district convenor hospitalised
ABVP alleged that several of its members, including Ghatal Organising District Convenor Soumik Adhikari, sustained injuries in the incident. The organisation claimed that Adhikari suffered serious injuries and was admitted to a nearby hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
Condemning the incident, the ABVP stated that attacks on the peaceful organisational activities of student bodies in educational institutions are against democratic principles and detrimental to the academic environment. The organisation further alleged that the incident was an attempt to disrupt an initiative aimed at assisting newly admitted students.
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ABVP State Secretary Neelkantha Bhattacharjee called for a prompt and impartial investigation into the incident and demanded strict action against those responsible.
"Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad demands a swift, impartial investigation into this incident and strict punishment for all those involved. We also urge the administration and the college authorities to ensure adequate security measures so that such incidents do not recur on college campuses. ABVP has always stood for protecting students' interests, upholding democratic rights and maintaining a peaceful academic environment," Bhattacharjee said.
ABVP alleges outsiders have been influencing students on campus
Speaking about the incident, ABVP State Media In-charge Ananta Barui alleged that members of Left factions along with outsiders have been trying to coerce and intimidate students since May 4.
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"Today, when ABVP set up help desks across college campuses to assist newly admitted students, they could not tolerate this initiative and attacked our activists. They also attempted to assault several students. ABVP strongly condemns this incident and demands that the administration identify all those directly and indirectly involved and take strict action against them," Barui added.
The claims made by ABVP could not be independently verified. The administration of SFI, the college and the police department did not come up with any statement in response to these allegations at the time of reporting this news.
FAQs
Q1. What are the allegations made by ABVP about the incident at Ghatal College?
The allegation made by ABVP is that activists of ABVP were attacked by supporters of SFI and outsiders while organising help desk for newly admitted students.
Q2. What action has ABVP demanded?
ABVP has demanded a swift and impartial investigation into the incident, strict action against those responsible, and enhanced security measures on the college campus.