A women's college here has banned students from using mobile phones after seizing phones with "vulgar messages".

"Girls have been asked not to use mobile (phones) in college," said Manju Sinha, principal of the Ranchi Women's College.

"If any student is found using mobiles in the campus, her phone will be seized."

The college has set up a committee to implement the order.

The decision comes after authorities seized mobile phones from five girls carrying sexually explicit messages.

Former principal Sushila Mishra, who now runs a girls' hostel, commended the ban.

"Students come to study (in college) but are getting influenced by hi-tech things. I have already banned (the) use of mobiles in my girls' hostel," Mishra said.