Attack in IIIT: 15 students expelled for one year

V-C approves report recommending action against 54 senior students

File photo of IIIT at Nuzvid.

The management of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT) IIIT, Nuzvid has taken action against the 54 final year students who roughed up their juniors on the campus on August 29.

The Special Committee appointed by Director Veeranki Venkata Dasu recommended stern action against all the students involved in the incident and Vice-Chancellor V. Ramachander Raju has approved the committee’s report.

For the first time, the IIIT had taken disciplinary action against so many students since its establishment in 2008, the university officials said.

Punishments

The committee headed by Administrative Officer Ramakanth has categorised the students depending on their involvement in the attack. Fifteen students of the first and second categories were suspended for one year, 13 boys were suspended for two months i.e. for II and III mid-term examinations.

In the fourth category, 24 senior students who were present at the spot and mobilised the students were expelled from classes for a month (i.e. for II mid-term exams) and two other students who were not directly involved in the incident were suspended for a week, said Mr. Venkata Dasu.

Six students who attacked and injured 13 juniors (listed in the first category) were debarred from the college. They were barred from attending the classes but could appear for exams after one year. The second category (nine students) would be allowed to attend classes after their suspension is completed.

“The action is with immediate effect. The committee’s report has been sent to the government and intimation has been given to the accused students as well as their parents,” the Director told The Hindu on Monday.

The genesis

On August 29, senior students of the Electronics and Communications Department (ECE), Civil, Mechanical and Computer Science Engineering (CSE) branches entered the dormitories of the juniors and attacked them alleging that they were dominating them and acting at the behest of some college staff.

Following a complaint, the IIIT management appointed the Special Committee comprising 15 members, including professors from other institutes and police, to probe the incident.

“We will not allow ragging, teasing and any kind of indiscipline on the campus. Students are requested to focus on their academics and not to spoil their lives and damage the reputation of the institute,” the Director said.