Police on Friday, January 6, arrested two second-year students of Aska Science College at Berhampur, Odisha, for allegedly ragging and harassing a junior girl student. The arrested students were identified as Debasish Swain and Kailash Swain. The incident reportedly took place on January 3.

According to a report by TNIE, the victim, a first-year student, stated in her complaint that she was returning home from college when the accused duo along with a few others harassed her. Following the incident, she asked her brother to accompany her to the college. However, the accused continued to pass lewd and vulgar comments against her.

College Principal J Tripathy said Debasish was served a compulsory transfer certificate (TC) after the incident. Debasish was allegedly causing indiscipline on the campus by teasing girls, manhandling other students and even misbehaving with teachers for the last several months, the report said.

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In October last year, a staff council meeting was held where it was decided to issue a compulsory college leaving certificate (CLC) to him."However, as the student's parents assured us that their son will stop doing such activities, we did not take any action. But after the January 3 incident, a meeting of the anti-ragging cell was convened and the girl's complaint was forwarded to the police. We also decided to issue compulsory TC to the student," Tripathy told TNIE.

The principal further said the other accused student, Kailash, has been barred from entering the college campus. The student has also been asked to furnish an undertaking within a fortnight stating that he will not indulge in any such activities in the future. The accused students were produced in court on the day. Regional director of Higher Education, Berhampur LK Tripathy told TNIE that all colleges have been asked to take a tough stance on ragging and harassment.