Protests Erupt at Utkal University Over Illegal Occupants on Campus

Bhubaneswar: Tensions ran high at Utkal University on Tuesday, a day after non-boarders were evicted from hostels, as students and alumni stormed into the vice chancellor’s office demanding the removal of illegal occupants from staff quarters and slum dwellers residing on the campus.

The agitators gathered before Vice Chancellor Jagneshwar Dandapat, Registrar Swati Mishra, and other officials, pressing for the eviction drive to be extended beyond the hostels.

“Everyone wants peace here. Outsiders have been removed from hostels, but we also want action against illegal occupants in quarters and the slum dwellers on campus,” said a protesting former student.

In response, the vice chancellor said that fresh notices had already been issued to unauthorised occupants and assured that eviction would be carried out soon. On the issue of slum dwellers, he added that discussions were underway with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Registrar Swati Mishra confirmed that a second notice was served on Tuesday, giving illegal occupants of staff quarters three days to vacate. “We have to follow due process. Eviction drives will be launched soon,” she said.

She further noted that the recent hostel eviction, conducted with police assistance, was part of a special drive aimed at removing outsiders and restoring a healthy academic atmosphere on campus.