A total of 897 examinees were expelled in 17 districts on the first day of the degree (pass) and subsidiary examinations under the National University, which began amid tight security yesterday, NU sources said.

A total of 831 examinees were absent at the English first paper compulsory exam, which began at 10:30am. No teacher was expelled on the first day, said Prof. Abdul Hamid, controller of examinations of NU, when contacted last night.

No untoward incident was reported till filing of the report at 9:00 p.m.

Some 340,000 examinees are appearing in the exams at 611 centres under six divisions. The university authorities have decided to take stern action against the violators of the rules set by them.

To prevent adoption of unfair means, the NU authorities have formed about 700 centre-based vigilance teams comprising officials of local administration and teachers from different universities and colleges.