KOZHIKODE: The statue of Buddha that has been inspiring students of Guruvayoorappan College with a slight smile on its face and consoling many others with a thoughtful gaze, was destroyed by a group of students the other day. The statue was erected in 1990. Protest against persons who damaged the statue is gaining momentum on the campus. Members of the Old Students Association of the college organized a meeting to express their protest against the destruction of the statue. The students and teachers of the college also have started protest against the destructors. The police have registered a case against a group of students who are accused of the destruction. The college administration has also expelled two students -- Mohammed Arshadali and Nimin Das from the college. The members of the Old Students Association have demanded the police to take stringent action against those involved in destructing the Buddha statue. Environmentalist and the president of the association Prof T Shobheendran said the news of the demolition of the statue was a shock to him. It is an unpardonable act especially because the students of the college are accused in the case, he added. "The accused should be exposed after investigation so as to eliminate such negativism and demoralizing trend in the minds of youngsters," he said. Teachers, non-teaching staff and students of the college also expressed protest against the anti-social activity. "This is a move to create misunderstanding in the college and the move will be opposed," said the members of students' organizations.