Mess Workers Apprehended After Knife Threat to Student at Central University
Police in Bilaspur took swift action on Monday, arresting two mess employees following a disturbing altercation at Guru Ghasidas Central University. The incident involved a cook and a mess worker allegedly chasing a student with a knife after a disagreement over snacks.
CCTV Footage Captures Escalating Confrontation
The entire episode unfolded at the Tantya Bhil Boys' Hostel and was recorded by security cameras. This CCTV footage quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing widespread attention to the case. Authorities confirmed they recovered the knife used during the confrontation.
Harsh Agarwal, a third-year BTech student, became the victim of this alarming incident. He filed an official complaint at the Koni police station on January 11, detailing how the situation developed.
Snack Request Sparks Violent Response
According to the police complaint, the trouble began around 6 pm when Agarwal asked mess staff to serve aloogunda, a popular potato snack, to another student. Mess employees reportedly refused this request and began verbally abusing the student.
The situation rapidly deteriorated when the accused individuals, identified as brothers Deepak Kewat (21) and Dipendra Kewat (19), climbed onto the mess platform. They then allegedly pursued Agarwal while brandishing a knife, forcing the student to flee for his safety.
"The student managed to escape and reach his friends, but the accused continued issuing life threats," police officials noted in their report.
Swift Police Action Leads to Arrests
Koni police demonstrated efficiency by apprehending both accused persons within twenty-four hours of receiving the formal complaint. The brothers, who hail from Karhi village in Janjgir-Champa district, now face serious charges.
During interrogation, both individuals confessed to their involvement in the incident. Police subsequently presented them before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody.
University Authorities Respond to Campus Incident
Professor Manish Shrivastava from the university provided context about the dispute. He explained that the confrontation originated from a spontaneous argument about snack timings.
"The evening snack time had officially ended, but some hostel residents insisted on receiving service after the stipulated hours," Shrivastava stated. "Police responded promptly to information about the incident and took the cook and mess staffer into custody."
University officials including the registrar, Dean of Student Welfare, and proctor immediately visited the hostel location. They worked to de-escalate the situation and ensure campus security.
The professor further confirmed that university administration will conduct a thorough examination of the matter. Appropriate disciplinary action will follow according to established institutional rules and regulations.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about student safety within educational institutions. It also raises questions about conflict resolution mechanisms between students and support staff on university campuses across the region.
