FTII Itanagar Students Halt Classes Amid Security Concerns Following Assault
Protests Erupt at FTII Itanagar
File image of students staging a protest in the FTII campus. (Photo:@careers360/X)
Itanagar, Sept 19: Students at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Itanagar have decided to suspend all academic activities indefinitely due to an alleged assault that resulted in injuries to several students and a faculty member who has won the National Award twice.
The Students’ Council initiated the protest on September 17, following the incident, and has vowed to continue until the authorities implement effective measures to enhance security on campus. Two individuals have been arrested in relation to the incident.
Concerns have been raised by the council, particularly regarding the safety of female students, who reported feeling threatened due to unauthorized entries by outsiders and instances of intimidation.
Additionally, students expressed frustration over the delay in the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel for campus protection.
The council noted that assurances for CISF deployment were made in May 2025, but the process has been stalled for over 16 months due to inadequate accommodation facilities.
Students are demanding enhanced security measures, including the immediate deployment of CISF and the establishment of a police outpost near the institute.
They are also advocating for the creation of a joint committee comprising faculty and students to oversee legal proceedings and a permanent liaison committee to foster better coordination and harmony between the institute and local residents.
The incident in question took place on the evening of September 16, when three students were engaged in an academic project on Jollang-Rakap Road near the campus and were reportedly confronted by local youths.
The situation escalated from a verbal dispute when one of the youths allegedly struck a student with a stick, as claimed by the Students’ Council.
Dominic Sangma, a two-time National Award-winning filmmaker and head of the Screenwriting Department at FTII Itanagar, was reportedly assaulted by two youths when he intervened, according to the council.
Sangma, originally from Meghalaya, is recognized for his Garo-language films, including ‘Rapture’ (Rimdogittanga) and ‘Ma.Ama’.
In a social media update, Karry Padu, Sangma’s wife, stated that he was attacked by two local youths near Rakap village, adjacent to FTII JOTE, while trying to protect students from being assaulted.
Another nearby student was reportedly struck on the head with a bamboo stick. The council also mentioned that security personnel and institute officials who attempted to intervene faced verbal abuse and threats.