Police are looking into allegations that dozens of second- and third-year students at the Birsa Institute of Technology (BIT) Sindri allegedly assaulted first-year students on May 12 and 13 under the pretence of ragging. According to students and police officers, violence broke out on the day of a freshers’ event, following a verbal confrontation between three first-year students and a group of third-year students. Tensions escalated around 9 pm after a few first-year students used the main campus gate – an area that, according to students, is “prohibited" for juniors. Following the initial altercation near the main gate, the first-year students allegedly called their local friends for help. In retaliation, senior students allegedly stormed a hostel in large numbers around 9:30 pm, armed with sticks, rods, hammers, and other such items. They vandalised furniture and allegedly attacked juniors who were having dinner in the mess, eyewitnesses said. “I was in the mess when they barged in. They didn’t care who was who; they just started beating everyone with sticks and rods,” claimed a student who sustained injuries. “Many faculty members were present, but none intervened. I ran at the first opportunity.” Another student said he was leaving the mess when he saw the mob approaching. “I ran into a random room, barricaded the door with furniture, and hid. Later, I fled the hostel and returned around 3 am,” he said. The attackers allegedly targeted the hostel’s C Wing, vandalising property. “My roommate was so terrified that he jumped from the first floor to escape. They smashed my laptop, chair, and other belongings,” claimed another student. Sources said an ambulance was called late at night, and some students received treatment on campus. Sanjay Kumar, the officer in charge of the Sindri police station, confirmed that a complaint has been registered. “No arrest has been made yet, but an investigation is underway. Such ragging and violence incidents are not uncommon, which is why a dedicated chowki has been established near the campus,” he said. Ravi Kumar, the chowki officer, said, “The institute’s director has submitted written complaints against five individuals – four from the first year and one from the third year. The remaining accused are currently unnamed.” Some students claimed they were still receiving threats from unknown numbers. One such message reads: “Hello juniors, we warmly welcome you after your holidays, so please enjoy as much as possible. After holidays, you will see the real discipline of BIT because till now you don't know the meaning of ragging.” Sources said first-year students have been sent on a two-month break, officially termed a “vocational internship break.” Pankaj Rai, the institute’s director, said an enquiry team led by the Chief Warden has been formed to investigate the case, and complaints have been registered against students who called the locals. “However, vandalism at the hostel and the mess was carried out by second- and third-year students,” he said. “Generally, students of all years are supposed to go for the internship from June 1 to July 31. However, it has been advanced for juniors,” he said. Students said that deeply entrenched unofficial rules govern campus life: juniors are barred from using the main gate, entering the cafeteria, talking to women, rolling up their sleeves, wearing belts or slippers. Even certain campus roads are off-limits.
