Bhubaneswar: Khunta Degree College in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district has created history in the student union polls as independent candidates won all seven posts without the backing of any political party.

Jitendra Murmu was elected as president while Prahallad Kumar Singh emerged victorious in the race for secretary. The victory of independent candidates across all seven posts has made the election a landmark event for the college.

Following their victory, all the winning candidates joined the celebrations. They danced to the beats of traditional tribal musical instruments and took out a celebratory procession through the local market, creating a festive atmosphere.

The sweeping victory of the independent candidates, without the support of any political outfit, has drawn attention to the outcome of the college's maiden student union election.

Victorious candidates take oath  

It is worth mentioning here that the student union polls were conducted in higher education institutions, including colleges and universities, across Odisha on October 15 (Thursday).

The newly-elected office-bearers of student unions took oath at their respective institutions on Friday.

Ruling BJP has claimed that the candidates of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) secured victories in more than 70 per cent higher education institutions in the state.

The Biju Chhatra Janata Dal (BCJD), the student wing of Opposition BJD, claimed that its candidates have emerged victorious in at least 100 colleges in Odisha.

Forensic team visits Satapada college

A forensic team visited Satapada Degree College under Brahmagiri police station limits in Puri district on Friday and launched an investigation into a bomb attack on the campus.

The team examined the spot and collected materials suspected to be remnants of the explosives used in the attack. The recovered items included pieces of jute string, gravel, glass fragments and pins or nails from the exploded bombs. After collecting the evidence, the team left the scene.

Following the bomb hurling incident, the student union election was cancelled at the college.

The college was scheduled to conduct its student representative election through a selection process rather than direct voting. However, the bomb attack disrupted the process, leading to the cancellation of the election and the closure of the college.