NIT Silchar student suicide case: Students sit on indefinite hunger strike, seek Dean’s resignation

The agitating students said that there is a need for academic reforms to minimize pressure on students

Students at the NIT Silchar in Assam’s Cachar have begun an indefinite hunger strike seeking resignation of Dean (Academics) Dr Binoy Krishna Roy blaming him for the suicide committed by a 3rd year student in the premier educational institute. The agitating students are also seeking a High Level Committee for academic reforms to minimise the pressure on the students.

The agitating students demonstrated inside the institute campus raising slogans demanding that Dr Binoy Krishna Roy steps down from his post.

Another student taking part in the peaceful demonstration stated, “Our only motive is that our brother gets justice. The Dean (Academics) against whom allegations have been levelled must resign. The administration which is giving insensitive statements regarding the incident must apologize and stand in solidarity with us. The administration must file an FIR for delivering justice and support the family legally or financially. We seek that a High Level Committee be constituted for bringing academic reforms and the pressure can be reduced. Members must be roped in from other institutes apart from experts of the NIT Silchar, ministries, students’ representatives. The objective should be as to how the pressure from the minds of the students can be minimized.”

One of the agitating students said, “One of our fellow student died by suicide due to academic pressure. We are doing peaceful Satyagraha seeking justice for him. He was a mentally and physically fit person. Allegations stating that he was drug addict is totally false. We are demanding that Dean Roy resigns, apologies from the administration and the family of the deceased gets due compensation.”

As per inputs, the deceased student of the Electrical Engineering department had backlogs in several subjects and was trying to discuss the issue with the Dean (Academics).

However, the Dean allegedly ignored to speak to the student. Following this, the student resorted to the harsh step.

On September 16, violent scenes were witnessed at the NIT, Silchar after students went on a rampage vandalising vehicles, holding the Dean and his family hostage and even hitting Cachar SP Numal Mahatta with a water bottle while protesting the suicide of a fellow student.

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