FTII Itanagar halts classes after assault on students and faculty

Academic activity at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Itanagar, has been suspended indefinitely after an assault near the campus left several students and a faculty member injured.

The Students' Council said the shutdown began on September 17, 2026, a day after the incident, and will hold until the institute addresses what it calls serious security concerns around the campus.

According to the council, three students were working on an academic assignment on the evening of September 16 when they were confronted by a group of local youths on the Jollang-Rakap Road near the campus. A verbal exchange escalated, and one of the youths allegedly struck a student with a stick.

Dominic Sangma, a two-time National Award-winning filmmaker who heads the Screenwriting Department, was allegedly assaulted by two youths when he stepped in. Mr. Sangma, who is from Meghalaya, is known for his Garo-language features 'Rapture' (Rimdogittanga) and 'Ma.Ama'.

Another student nearby was allegedly hit on the head with a bamboo stick. Institute officials and security personnel who tried to intervene were verbally abused and threatened, the council said.

Police said the two accused have been arrested.

The council said female students in particular feel unsafe, citing repeated threats, unauthorised entry of outsiders into the campus and intimidation. It also flagged the delay in deploying CISF personnel for campus security, noting that an assurance was given in May 2025 but the process has remained stalled for more than 16 months because of a lack of accommodation facilities.

The students have asked authorities to strengthen campus security, including CISF deployment and the construction of a police outpost nearby. They have also sought a joint faculty-student committee to monitor the legal proceedings and a permanent liaison committee to improve coordination and maintain harmony between the institute and local residents.