BEd college turns into battle field in Bali

A BEd college in Bali virtually turned into a battle field on Wednesday morning following a clash that broke out between local residents and some staff members of the college, who were backed by two local clubs.  

An irate mob went on rampage ransacking the college rooms, hostel rooms, furniture and set four vehicles on fire and also a portion of college building. 

Girls staying at the college hostel got scared and they rushed towards a safer area when they saw that a mob was setting a hostel room on fire. Many computers, electronic gadgets and furniture were completely damaged in the incident. After being informed, police reached the spot and they resorted to lathicharge to disperse the mob. Around 20 people have been arrested by police for spreading violence inside the college campus and damaging its property. 

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked the home secretary to take action against those who were involved in the attack and had caused damage to the college property. During her tour in West Midnapore, Banerjee gave a strong message that those who create trouble in the educational institutions will not be spared. 

Tension prevailed in the area for quite sometimes over the construction of a boundary wall. The clash broke out due to same reason. The college authorities were constructing a boundary wall but some local residents alleged that the construction of the boundary wall of the college was illegal as it encroached upon the adjacent road. However, the college officials were unwilling to accept this and they continued with the construction. 

On Wednesday morning, the local residents staged a demonstration outside the college against the construction of boundary wall when some members from two local clubs, said to have been engaged by the college authorities went there. The club members allegedly beat up the local residents who were taking part in the protest movement and a scuffle broke out between the two groups in which many were injured from both sides. Following the intervention of the club members in the incident, the local residents became infuriated and stormed into the college campus and roughed up some of the college staff. 

The mob set four vehicles on fire including a motorbike which was standing inside the college campus. A huge contingent of police rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. Fire tenders were also pressed into service to douse the flame. Trinamool Congress leaders Rajib Banerjee and the state minister also condemned the incident. Police are conducting a probe.