KOZHIKODE: In a day marked by high drama and violence, Calicut University vice-chancellor M Abdul Salam fainted in his office after a group of SFI and DYFI activists blockaded him for over three hours and tried to break open the office door alleging corruption in ongoing appointments to the university assistant posts on Wednesday.
Around 30 activists stormed the administrative block and ransacked offices after a news channel aired visuals of IUML leader and Tenhipalam panchayat president Firoz Kalliyil allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 15 lakh for appointment to the assistant post. The channel footage showed Firoz trying to strike a deal sitting in the varsity guest house with the media team who approached him disguised as relatives of an applicant.
Following the news, activists led by DYFI Malappuram secretary P K Abdul Navas forced their way into the AD block around 10.30 am. Though security personnel had blocked the way to the corridor leading to the VC's office, the activists - armed with metal rods - made their way to the area by breaking open the door to the registrar's office and the syndicate room. They also destroyed the computers and furniture in the office of the VC's personal staff.
Salam, who was in his chamber along with a security guard, fainted as tension mounted and activists punctured a hole on his office's door. They also manhandled four office staff who have been admitted to Tirurangadi taluk hospital.
Salam was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Kozhikode in a police vehicle. Baby Memorial Hospital authorities said that the VC had experienced a syncopal attack due to sudden fall in blood pressure and his condition was now stable.
The interview to the post of assistants has been suspended temporarily following the incident. It will resume only after the next syndicate meeting on March 21. The varsity is in the process of appointing 250 assistants and interviews were being held by a five-member committee comprising VC and two syndicate members each affiliated to the Congress and the IUML.
Tenhipalam police have arrested five persons including Malappuram district secretary of DYFI and SFI district secretary V P Sanu in connection with the violence. Meanwhile, the Association of Calicut University Teachers (ACT) has demanded the removal of Salam and the PVC following allegations of irregularities in the assistant appointments.
Around 30 activists stormed the administrative block and ransacked offices after a news channel aired visuals of IUML leader and Tenhipalam panchayat president Firoz Kalliyil allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 15 lakh for appointment to the assistant post. The channel footage showed Firoz trying to strike a deal sitting in the varsity guest house with the media team who approached him disguised as relatives of an applicant.
Following the news, activists led by DYFI Malappuram secretary P K Abdul Navas forced their way into the AD block around 10.30 am. Though security personnel had blocked the way to the corridor leading to the VC's office, the activists - armed with metal rods - made their way to the area by breaking open the door to the registrar's office and the syndicate room. They also destroyed the computers and furniture in the office of the VC's personal staff.
Salam, who was in his chamber along with a security guard, fainted as tension mounted and activists punctured a hole on his office's door. They also manhandled four office staff who have been admitted to Tirurangadi taluk hospital.
Salam was immediately rushed to a private hospital in Kozhikode in a police vehicle. Baby Memorial Hospital authorities said that the VC had experienced a syncopal attack due to sudden fall in blood pressure and his condition was now stable.
The interview to the post of assistants has been suspended temporarily following the incident. It will resume only after the next syndicate meeting on March 21. The varsity is in the process of appointing 250 assistants and interviews were being held by a five-member committee comprising VC and two syndicate members each affiliated to the Congress and the IUML.
Tenhipalam police have arrested five persons including Malappuram district secretary of DYFI and SFI district secretary V P Sanu in connection with the violence. Meanwhile, the Association of Calicut University Teachers (ACT) has demanded the removal of Salam and the PVC following allegations of irregularities in the assistant appointments.
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