Two former students of Utkal University held over scuffle with JNU professor

Bhubaneswar: The Saheed Nagar police today arrested two former students of the Utkal University over their alleged involvement in scuffling with JNU Professor Surajit Mazumdar at a seminar on the premises of the educational institution here yesterday.

The accused have been identified as Manas Sahu and Sanjay Mallick.

According to reports, a seminar over the topic of constitution of the country was organised on the varsity premises by the Odisha Citizens Forum at the PG Council Hall. While Professor Mazumdar was delivering a lecture, the accused youths raised objection and created ruckus demanding to stop the event.

Subsequently, a heated exchange of words ensued between the organisers of the seminar and the opposers. Two persons were reportedly injured in the incident.

Later, the two sides filed FIR against each other at the Saheed Nagar police station. Police have started investigation into the incident.

“When I was delivering my speech, some youths opposed it and later tried to stop the event. They also thrashed some of the organisers,” said Professor Mazumdar.

“He (Professor Surajit Mazumdar) was opining that the country is going in a ‘different direction’, which was objected by some youths. As the organisers tried to stop them, the opposers thrashed me. We were later rescued by police,” one of the organisers said.