Bhubaneswar: Tension gripped the campus of Maharishi College of Natural Law in Bhubaneswar once again after a group of alleged outsiders reportedly entered the college premises in an SUV, threatened students, and created panic on Thursday.

According to students, the group arrived in the vehicle (Mahindra Thar) and allegedly engaged in intimidation inside the campus. Following complaints from students, the Sahid Nagar Police reached the spot, detained six persons, and took them to the police station for questioning.

Police said the six individuals are being interrogated to ascertain the circumstances under which they entered the college and their alleged involvement in threatening students.

Meanwhile, agitating students stopped the SUV inside the campus until police arrived. The incident has raised serious concerns over security arrangements at the college.

Questions are also being raised about how outsiders, including students from other colleges and non-students, managed to enter the campus despite security guards being deployed at the main gate.

Police have begun an investigation in coordination with the college authorities and are examining CCTV footage to identify all those involved and determine whether more people were part of the group.

2023 campus attack resurfaces as security comes under scrutiny

The latest incident has revived concerns over campus safety at Maharishi College of Natural Law, which had witnessed a similar episode in April 2023.

On April 17, 2023, several alleged outsiders armed with iron rods and sticks entered the college campus and attacked three Plus Two first-year students, leaving them injured. One of the victims was admitted to Capital Hospital for treatment.

According to reports at the time, the attack was allegedly carried out in retaliation after college students objected to a group of youths who had reportedly passed lewd remarks at girl students on the campus. The accused had earlier given a written undertaking before the college principal and police that they would not repeat such behaviour. However, two days later, they allegedly returned to the campus and assaulted students before fleeing.

Police had then launched an investigation by examining CCTV footage to identify the accused.

The fresh incident has once again highlighted concerns over the safety of students and the effectiveness of security measures at the institution. Further investigation is underway.