Two students have withdrawn their admission from the Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI) in Kolkata after being allegedly ragged. Amir Suhail and Vaanchit Kundlia,who joined the institute on August 7 this year,have also filed an FIR at the Taratala Police Station in this regard. When Amir informed his father,Suhail Ahmed,about the alleged physical punishment and threats from his seniors,Ahmed contacted the Anti-Ragging Cell in New Delhi,which forwarded the complaint to college Director M K Ghosh on August 10. Amir has also alleged the institute director told him that the seniors had the right to slap their juniors and that it is for their own benefit. The parents of the two are now demanding that the initial admission fee paid to the college,which amounts to Rs 1,17,500 each,be refunded. The institute director Ghosh denied the allegations,saying the reports have been exaggerated.
