Bhubaneswar: Tension ran high at the BJB College here today as irate students blocked the road in front of the educational institution.

According  to reports, the students staged road blockade by burning tyres, as a result of which hundreds of vehicles heading towards Puri from Bhubaneswar remained stranded.

The agitators demanded release of a former student of the college, who was picked up by police from the campus on Wednesday evening.

As per information, one Smruti Ranjan Panda had come to the college yesterday for an entrance test. Later, police picked him up in the evening while he was present on the college premises.

"Smruti Ranjan Panda had come to the college to appear in an entrance exam. While he was inquiring about hostel rooms, police picked him up. The cops didn't disclose about the reason behind the detention," an agitating student said.

On being informed about the road blockade, police reached the spot and tried to pacify the students.