Presidency College terrorized by Communists

BARBARIANS AT THE GATES

[Picture from Bartaman, the largest selling Bangla daily]

Synopsis of the Bartaman article:

The Presidency College, considered to be one of the best colleges in India, was terrorized by Communists affiliated to the CPM's student wing, Students' Federation of India (SFI). Mamata Ray, the principal, did not escape the wrath of SFI activists, she was held captive for hours. The police stood by doing nothing, however they did allow some outside SFI activists into the College.

Trouble started after the elections results were announced, the SFI activists unable to bear the loss of important posts to their rivals, IC, went on a rampage attacking IC supporters and destroying college property. College staff involved in the election process and leaders of the rival unions were locked up in a room. Worried guardians were not allowed into the college by SFI activists.

The SFI met with with the Presidency College management around midnight, they demanded reelections. Added later:Statesman's article on this issue.Excerpt:Hell let loose at Presidency College (The Statesman, Jan 07,2006)
Excerpt:

It was a day marked by high drama and oppressive tensions at Presidency College, which witnessed no-holds-barred clashes among its students during elections to the institution’s students’ union panel. Although the Independent Consolidation bagged the union’s general secretaryship and nine other posts on the 11-member panel, members of the Students’ Federation of India laid siege to the principal’s office till late into the night, demanding a re-run of the entire process.

...

After 45 minutes of voting, five IC supporters were severely beaten up. College principal Ms Mamata Roy and teachers came to inquire after these students in the college canteen, assuring them of action against their assailants.

...

Around 9.45 p.m., the IC CRs were escorted out of the college by police. No official declaration of the results was made till late into the night.

Tags: CPM SFI

• CPM
• SFI