KOCHI: The Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has been closed indefinitely following clashes between students that took place in the aftermath of the general council elections. The elections were held on Wednesday. A statement issued on the website of the varsity said that the "vice-chancellor has directed to suspend regular classes and exams (both PG and UG) indefinitely due to student unrest. The revised dates for exams will be announced later."
It further said that "all students except research scholars and outside state students need to vacate their hostels and leave the campus immediately. Orders are issued accordingly." A university official said that the order to ask the students to leave the hostel was issued as students have a tendency to regroup at the hostels and resort to clashes. A few students were hurt in the clashes that saw SFI activists on one side and members of AISF, KSU and MSF on the other on Cusat campus after the elections.
Police intervened and took four student leaders into custody while registering cases against 30 students. The four were later released after the students marched to the Kalamassery police station. According to police, later a few students regrouped yet again and attacked another student at a hotel who was grievously hurt in the attack and was hospitalised. Police have registered cases against four students over the incident and these four are absconding. Police is trying to track them. They reportedly belong to Malappuram and Kasargod.
