Incidents of ragging have increased in recent weeks in educational institutions in Assam with the Dibrugarh University last week cracking the whip on ragging by expelling one postgraduate student and penalising eight more with varying degrees of punishment, including cash penalties.

The Dibrugarh University in a path breaking decision announced the expulsion of Madhav Kachari and debarred him from seeking admission to any other institution.

Another postgraduate student, Manash Pratim Gogoi, was expelled from the university for two straight terms.

The tough action was initiated following written complaints against the nine students to the vice chancellor by junior students alleging 'mental torture' bordering on obscenity.

Before that, on Aug 9, a first year student of Dimoria College in Sonapur on the outskirts of Assam's main city of Guwahati, became the first casualty of ragging after he allegedly committed suicide by jumping in front of a speeding train Sunday.

Chintumoni Bordoloi had joined the college just three days ago.

There were similar reports of ragging from other colleges in Assam with a student in western Nalbari being admitted to hospital after being allegedly beaten up by seniors in the hostel.