Search the Internet          Tips

Patna Veterinary College principal
set afire by students

Soroor Ahmed in Patna

In a gruesome incident, the principal of the Patna Veterinary College was on Tuesday evening set on fire by irate students when he refused to allow unfair means during the sixth semester (final) examination of the 1998 batch.

The principal, Mani Mohan Singh, suffered 50 per cent burn injuries. Doctors at the Patna Medical College Hospital said though he was out of danger his condition needed to be monitored.

It was in this college that former chief minister Laloo Prasad Yadav had worked as a clerk more than two decades ago.

Witnesses said that on Tuesday morning, students had walked out of the examination hall alleging that their syllabus had not been completed and demanding that they be allowed to carry books and chits inside the examination hall.

When the principal objected the angry students went on a rampage, the witnesses said.

This is the third attack on the principal. Even last year, an attempt was made to disrupt the examination.

Talking to rediff in the hospital Singh said, "The students attacked me when I was about to board my car. They poured petrol on the car and set it ablaze while I was still inside."

However, Singh managed to come out and was later rushed to the hospital by the college staff.

Witnesses said a couple of bombs were also thrown near Singh's car, but they failed to explode because of the damp weather. They said he was initially attacked with hockey sticks and that assailants had smashed the window screen of the car.

According to the police, a criminal case was lodged against the students and two persons had been detained.

Late on Tuesday evening, the college was declared closed for an indefinite period and all exams cancelled. The hostels were vacated immediately.

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report