Indian, Afghan students clash at NIT
At least seven students, including three from Afghanistan, were injured in a group clash at National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, during the annual cultural extravaganza on Saturday evening, the police said on Sunday.
Though the cause of the incident was yet to be ascertained, sources said the scuffle started as some Afghan students, allegedly in an inebriated state, hurled objectionable remarks at Indian classmates.
All the seven injured students, including one seriously injured Indian student named Jayant Barik, were admitted to the local Ispat General Hospital (IGH).
“The situation is normal now. The Afghanistan students are lodged in a guesthouse and they are being provided security by the police,” Sunil Kumar Sarangi, director of NIT-Rourkela, said.
It was because of the timely intervention by the director the two groups got separated and further unpleasant situation was averted.
“We are inquiring into the whole incident as to why the clash took place. When I reached the spot last evening and felt palpable tension, my first concern was to provide security to the Afghan students,” the director Mr Sarangi said. As may as 23 Afghan students are pursuing their studies at NIT, Rourkela against the strength of 4,500 Indians.
Sources said 10 foreign students had picked up the fight.
“The police is alert over the incident after getting information from the NIT director. Adequate security has been provided to the foreign students,” said sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) S. Sethi.
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