Kalyani: Security personnel at MAKAUT allegedly assaulted a hostel student on Sunday night, resulting in his losing consciousness and a 5-hour-long protest at the Haringhata campus.
Reports suggest the attack stemmed from the first-year MTech student being spotted with a female hosteller. While some said he was caught in an ‘inappropriate' position, others said they were conversing. The situation escalated into a confrontation, drawing other male hostel residents to the scene. The altercation culminated in the alleged assault.
A student said: "When the university ambulance was called, no driver was available, so a local neta was contacted. An ambulance then took him to Haringhata Rural Hospital. He was sent to Kalyani JNM Hospital, where a CT scan took place. He was declared out of danger and is resting in the hostel."
Students launched a protest on Monday, demanding the attackers be dismissed. They blocked the university's main entrance from 10am, barring staff from entering the premises. Campus activities, including scheduled departmental examinations, were disrupted. Vice-chancellor Tapas Chakraborty addressed the students and normal operations resumed after 3pm.
Ankan Samanta, a protesting student, said: "He was beaten with a PVC pipe and kicked in his private parts. After blocking the main gate for 5 hours, a discussion took place with the authorities. The four were suspended and final termination will be done by Friday."
Security personnel at MAKAUT primarily comprise retired servicemen, who maintain round-the-clock surveillance.
TOI tried to contact university registrar Partha Pratim Lahiri, but he did not respond to a call or text message.