Five Bangladeshi Students Suspended from NIT Silchar Over Campus Violence and Drug Possession

Five Bangladeshi students at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Silchar, Assam, who are on ICCR scholarships, were suspended following a violent altercation on the campus. The altercation occurred on the night of September 8, when third-year students allegedly attacked fellow Bangladeshi students with rods, knives, and screwdrivers. The attack, which lasted for around 30 minutes, left several students injured, and two of them had to be administered intensive care at Silchar Medical College and Hospital.

An internal investigation carried out by NIT officials found the suspects to be under the influence of drugs during the attack. Approximately half a kilogram of cannabis was recovered from their hostel rooms. The students—Shahriar Ahmed Akash, Simanto Ghosh, Soumyajit Paul, Sajjad Hossain Rafi, and Md Noor Hossain—have been suspended for one academic year, expelled from hostel facilities, and are to be deported.

Indian Council for Cultural Relations authorities visited the campus and endorsed the disciplinary actions. While campus violence was the primary cause for suspension, the use of illicit drugs also influenced the decision. The institute has promised tighter monitoring of foreign students to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

This event has raised questions about campus safety and the conduct of foreign students, and calls for more effective control and support systems have been demanded.