Protests erupted at the National Institute of Technology in Silchar on Friday following the reported suicide of a third-semester student from Arunachal Pradesh enrolled in the electrical engineering program.
The students alleged that their fellow student, Koj Buker, took his own life after he had requested the college authorities to permit him to register for the next semester following failed exams and the inability to clear his backlog papers. However, they assert that his request was reportedly denied.
The body of Buker was found hanging in the room of hostel-7 of the institute on Friday. The students didn’t allow the authorities to take the body for around two hours until police intervened.
Students claimed that the police employed force to disperse the protesting students as tensions on campus escalated, with students surrounding the official residence of the Dean (Academic) B K Roy, demanding justice for the deceased student. They maintain that they were peacefully protesting and seeking a meeting with the Institute’s Director but were met with police batons instead.
At least 40 students were injured in the police action.
Sources said that the NIT will soon form a committee to carry out an internal inquiry and submit a report on the matter.
Cachar district superintendent of police (SP) Numal Mahatta alleged that a large number of students gathered in front of the residence of institute dean (academics) BK Roy and vandalised his entire house. “They attacked the police and other officials too. At one point we had to lathicharge to control the situation and we are now investigating the matter further,” he said.
