NIT Silchar suspends 5 Bangladeshi students over drugs, violence

Silchar: National Institute of Technology (NIT), Silchar, has suspended five Bangladeshi students following allegations of drug possession, violent clashes, and other unlawful activities on campus. Authorities confirmed on Monday that the disciplinary action was based on an internal investigation that found substantial evidence against the students.According to NIT director Dilipkumar Baidya, the suspended students -- Shahriar Ahmed Akash, Simanto Ghosh, Soumyajit Paul, Sajjad Hossain Rafi, and Md Noor Hossain -- were found in possession of approximately half a kg of cannabis. “They have been suspended for one year, barred from attending classes, expelled from hostels for two semesters, and will be repatriated to Bangladesh,” Baidya said.The incident began on Sept 8 during a late-night altercation in the hostels, where third-year Bangladeshi students allegedly attacked final-semester countrymates with sharp weapons after switching off the lights. Two students sustained injuries. The internal probe concluded that the five accused were the primary instigators.Dean of student welfare S S Dhar said contraband items were recovered from their hostel rooms. “The disciplinary action was taken not only for the violence but also for drug use,” he said.A senior official from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), which sponsors the students’ scholarships, visited Silchar to assess the situation. However, the case has not been reported to the police.Campus sources alleged that the unrest may be linked to political tensions from Bangladesh, with divisions reportedly deepening between students aligned with the Awami League and those supporting the interim govt led by Muhammad Yunus.NIT Silchar, a leading engineering institution in northeast, hosts around 300 international students — Bangladesh being the largest contributor. In response to the incident, authorities have pledged stricter monitoring to prevent future disturbances.