Undergraduate students of the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research in Burla boycotted their regular classes for the second day on Thursday in protest against the decision of the director not to allow the leaders of the students union to attend classes for one month.

The authorities, in a notification, had said all the 23 office-bearers of the student’s union will not be allowed to attend their regular classes and will not be allowed to enter into the library for one month for their involvement in the ragging incidents on the campus. They will also not be allowed to take part in other activities of the college. The decision of the authorities has resulted sharp reaction from the students.

President of the students union D.N. Senapati described the action of the authorities as “illegal, one-sided and against the norms of the Medical Council of India” as they were not given any chance to clarify their position in the incident. The general body meeting of the student’s union has decided that all the 750 students of the undergraduate courses will boycott all the classes against such decision. The decision of the union was intimated to the acting principal and dean of the institution B.Tudu.

It was alleged that the leaders of the students union were involved in ragging the first year students in August. Three complaints were filed with the director by the victims for action against the students involved in the illegal activities on the campus which was referred to the disciplinary and anti-ragging committee. Authorities clarified that action was initiated on the recommendation report of the committee. Director Pujahari was not available and out of headquarters to comment on the issue.

However, postgraduate students attended their classes and functioning of the medical college has not been affected.