The entire exercise lasted about 30 minutes but it might take a lifetime for those who were on the receiving end that Friday evening to wipe away memories of being chased and stabbed, insulted and intimidated. No one -- neither students nor teachers -- have a rational and valid explanation for why and how it all happened. The scared lot only have one thing to say: ``We were victimised. They knew we were soft targets and could not retaliate. The issue of ragging is just an excuse to terrorise us.''

Of late some institutions have been bearing the brunt of the moral police who perceive the former as a debauched lot indulging in activities not in keeping with Bharatiya sanskriti. The freedom inside such campus's are also envied. And together with some seriously misconceived notions it gives rise to a reaction that is not only violent but potentially damaging.

Prasanta Dey, a faculty member at CEPT explains: ``Many people see us as having a culture that is alien and depraved. They cannot come to terms with it. We are only paying a price for keeping to ourselves. The culture here is no different from institutions all over the country.''

Director of School of Architecture K Varkey substantiates: ``The students here unfortunately have to work very hard and often have to stay up till midnight and beyond. The discipline is such. But that is misconstrued as being immoral and free.''

The jittery students meanwhile see a conspiracy that is much more serious than the violent incident of July 20. A female student, who obviously refused to be named said, ``We are being used for bigger things. While beating up students they were telling the girls that `tum log Jhansi ki Rani ho, Madonna mat bano.' But in the same breath they were calling us sluts, threatening us that the next time they spoke to us it would be from very close quarters.''

Another student adds: ``We were beaten up not because of any other reason but because we are closed and keep to ourselves. There is also this notion that most of us are non-locals when the fact is 75 per cent of undergraduates and 50 per cent of post graduates are Gujaratis and belong to the State.''

But no one has any doubts that the attack was pre-planned and pre-meditated. A faculty member states: ``A case had already been made up. CEPT had already been marked. There was a call from the police on July 17 inquiring if there was any ragging going on. How can there be any ragging when introductions of newcomers are taking place in front of senior faculty members?''

The campus meanwhile is shrouded in silence and fear though the students now are slightly more comfortable venturing out as parents, faculty members and concerned citizens have been very supportive. A memorandum signed by over 200 people has been submitted to the Commissioner of police urging him to expedite the case and reveal to the people the ``real motive behind the attack.''

But students are still asking for more security. The formerly open campus is now prohibited and fenced. Gone is the laughter and backslapping in the canteen.

The mind is no more without fear. After all someone's intestines were knifed out just a week ago.