SFI, IC clash at Presidency as election nerves give way

It was Day 3 after the union polls and the situation had gone from bad to worse. It reached a point where state SFI president Sudip Sengupta apologised for the unruly behaviour of certain members.

The panel elections that started around 2 pm on Thursday finally ended around midnight. While jubilant IC members rejoiced, SFI members were disappointed.

Members of the IC alleged that around 2 am, certain SFI members passed lewd comments targeting some students from the northeast. They intervened and the SFI members were made to apologise.

Later, in the afternoon, SFI boys came in huge numbers and there was a clash, alleged the members of the IC.

“The SFI members came to the hostel and demanded to search our rooms. They alleged that we had hidden arms. We, in turn, also said we would search their rooms. This led to an argument that turned violent,” said Dipanjan Sinha, former general secretary, IC.

The SFI had its own version.

They alleged that one of their group was surrounded by IC members, including students from other colleges who were carrying knives, rods and other weapons. The SFI member was made to apologise and touch the feet of a senior IC member.

“In the afternoon, they beat up our guys who had to rush to the Calcutta Medical College where they were given first aid. Some SFI members have filed an FIR against 11 people at the Jorasanko police station,” said Debak Das, an SFI member.

By late afternoon, the situation in Hindu Hostel had gone out of hand. Some students bore bruises and bleeding noses. Some SFI supporters even had scuffles with the media.

Students said the Jorasanko police station had to intervene and 10 students from the Northeast were taken for questioning. They were released late in the evening. Sengupta said that if any SFI member was found guilty, he would be punished. “Since last year, we have been very busy and have not been able to dedicate enough time to these students who need constant guidance. What had happened is extremely disappointing,” he said.