Mangaluru: Ratnakar, an attender at First Grade Women’s College, Balmatta here was at the receiving of students wrath. Ratnakar, was the focal point of students protest after he did not hand over the bus passes for which he had collecte Rs 1,000 each from around 25 students. The total amount he has taken from the students has not been quantified yet.When the students came together to demand the money, Ratnakar behaved rudely with them and threatened them with consequences.

However, while this was the immediate provocation, the students allege that he has been creating nuisance with his habitual drinking. However on Friday July 17, the students finally decided that enough was enough, and taking matters into their own hands, confronted the attender. Apparently Ratnakar would be found drunk all the time in the college, and shying away from his duties. He would also fuel his alcohol addiction with the students money.

Ratnakar, a group D worker of the Government, threatened to file an atrocity case against anybody who wanted the money back then and there. However the students were at their wits end and stood firm. At first he refused, then relented and promised to pay them back. He said he used their money as he was facing ‘tough times’ but refused to admit that he spent it on liquor, and even claimed that he has never come to the college inebriated, which was in direct contrast to his behavior.

The college principal said that a complaint had already been lodged with the education department about Ratnakar’s behavior and the way he allegedly cheated the students. Moreover, the teachers too have filed a complaint against him with the police.

Following the incident on Friday joint director of regional collegiate education Shivamurthi visited the college and held discussions with the protesting students. He also got a signed assurance from Ratnakar that he would return their money by evening. But the students were not convinced and demanded that Ratnakar be immediately dismissed as he would come drunk to the college and trouble them.

Ultimately, the joint director decided its best to recommend Ratnakar’s dismissal to the DDPU. The students then withdrew the protest.