An MBBS student of government-run MKCG Medical College at Berhampur in Odisha was allegedly ragged and assaulted by seniors.

Second-year student Rudra Rout, who hails from Balasore, was allegedly severely beaten by his seniors.

Though the incident took place on Friday, it came to light after the student’s parents lodged a police complaint.

Rudra’s father Sanjay told reporters: “I was shocked. The way two seniors of the college beat him up was shocking. He sustained injuries in his neck, eye and back. We have brought it to the notice of the MKCG authority.”

Dean and principal of MKCG Medical College and Hospital Santosh Kumar Mishra said: “We have got the complaints from the student. It has been intimated to the anti-ragging cell of the medical college. The cell is inquiring into the matter and once the report is received by us, we will initiate action as per the recommendation of the cell and the provision of law.”

According to the report, there was a band rehearsal in the hostel on Friday. After the rehearsal was over, the second-year student had gone to drop off a senior. Sources said while returning he had picked up a quarrel with two other seniors as to why he had gone to drop off.

Following the registration of a complaint, police have started an investigation and recorded the statement of the victim. It has also filed cases against two fourth-year students. A case under sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 323 (causing hurt), 325 (grievous hurt) and 34 of IPC (illegal acts) was registered.

“Investigation is on. We will send a report to the MKCG authority for taking necessary action as per the UGC guidelines to stop ragging inside the college campus,” said Brahmapur SP Dr Saravana Vivek M.

Meanwhile, the higher education department has asked the colleges to take an undertaking from the students at the time of admission that they will not be involved in ragging. If a student is found indulging in ragging incidents, an FIR will be lodged against the concerned student. The parents will have to submit an undertaking that they would take all steps to dissuade their kids, officials said.

Eminent psychiatrist Dr Seema Parija said: “Only fear of punishment will not be able to make a campus free of ragging. The senior, as well as junior students, should be given counselling frequently on ragging. Workshops should be organised and made mandatory for all to attend. The exercise is most important during the first six months of the entry of newcomers to the college campus. Besides, a strict watch should be kept after dinner on the activities of the students.”