Itanagar: Students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Itanagar, began an indefinite academic strike on Sept 17, a day after a senior faculty member and two students were allegedly assaulted by local youths near the campus.According to the FTII Students’ Council, three students were working on an academic assignment around 6:30 pm on Sept 16 when they were confronted by a group of local youths. The confrontation allegedly escalated after one of the youths attacked a student with a bamboo stick.Dominic Sangma, head of the screenwriting department and a two-time National Award-winning filmmaker, intervened to protect the students and was allegedly beaten by two youths, the council said. Another student was struck on the head with a bamboo stick. Campus security personnel and institute officials who arrived at the scene were allegedly abused and threatened, it added.The students’ council, led by president Divyansh, said the incident had heightened concerns over the safety of students, particularly women, amid alleged instances of trespassing, intimidation and aggressive behaviour by outsiders.The council also said assurances given in May 2025 for the deployment of Central Industrial Security Force personnel had not been implemented. It alleged that the deployment had been delayed because accommodation for the force was yet to be arranged.Students have refused to resume classes until long-term security measures are put in place. Their demands include dedicated state police protection, immediate action following the registration of an FIR, CISF deployment around the campus perimeter and construction of a police outpost near the institute.They have also sought a permanent liaison committee to improve relations with local residents and a joint student-faculty panel to monitor the legal proceedings independently.The council has demanded an urgent meeting with the SRFTI vice-chancellor, the joint secretary, the district magistrate and the deputy commissioner to address the security crisis.–
