Students riot at VIT College over poor food, water qualityVIOLENCE ON THE CAMPUSStudents torch college bus amid jaundice outbreak scare

 

 

 

THE VIT College campus near Ashta on the Bhopal-Indore Highway transformed into a battleground late Tuesday night when students, frustrated by poor food and water quality, launched a violent protest against the college management. Following weeks of ignored complaints and the discovery of jaundice symptoms in 24 students allegedly due to unsafe drinking water, approximately 4,000 students united to engage in massive vandalism and arson within the college premises.

 

Widespread vandalism and arson:The anger of the students, fuelled by the persistent negligence of the college management, escalated to the point where they lost control. Protesters vandalised several cars parked on the campus. Enraged students smashed hostel windows, damaged the RO plant, and caused destruction to many other parts of the campus. The situation worsened when students set fire to a college bus. Students claimed they were forced to take this extreme step because poor water quality had led to the deterioration of several students’ health over the past two weeks.

 

Administration and police intervention: Upon receiving news of the protest and arson, the administration and police were immediately mobilised. The Sub-Divisional Officer Revenue (SDM), SDOP Ashta, and police forces from multiple stations, including Parvati and Kotwali, rushed to the scene. Police officials spoke with the student group, listened to their serious concerns, and assured them that necessary steps would be taken to address their demands.

 

The situation on the campus is currently under control, and the police have initiated further investigation. SDO(P) Akash Amalkar confirmed that with sufficient police presence, the campus is now completely under control. SDM Nitin Tale stated that an investigation is in progress and acknowledged receiving complaints about the quality of food and water. He said that officials are in continuous contact with university administration to address the problem and refuted allegations of any student fatalities. VIT University has declared a holiday untill November 30 in response to the disturbance.

 

High-Level Probe Committee Formed by Regulatory Commission: Given the seriousness of the matter and the chaos on campus, the Private University Regulatory Commission took suo motu cognizance of the incident. The Commission immediately constituted a three-member expert committee to conduct a detailed investigation into the entire matter. The committee will be headed by Professor Anil Shivani, Principal of Hamidia College, Bhopal, with Professor Sanjay Dixit of Motilal Vigyan Mahavidyalaya and Professor Dr Lokendra Dave of GMC as its members.

 

The Commission has directed the committee to conduct a thorough investigation and submit its report within three days. Strict action against the college management may be taken based on the committee’s findings.