BTech student of Sri Vellappally Natesan College of Engineering attempts suicide

ALAPPUZHA: A fourth semester B.Tech (Mechanical) student of Sri Vellappally Natesan College of Engineering, Kattachira, near Kayamkulam made a suicide attempt on Sunday after alleged harassment by its principal. Vallikunnam police said the student, identified as Arsh Raj of Kilimanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, tried to hang himself in his hostel room at 2 am, but the timely action of other inmates saved his life. He had also cut his finger to write on the wall against torture he suffered. They hospitalised him as he sustained minor injuries.

The police said he and four others had gone out for eating on Saturday after complaining that the college canteen food was too bad. When they returned, the principal reprimanded them as they flouted rules restricting students going out without permission. The principal also informed his parents of it, police said. SFI-DYFI activists later vandalised the campus. Protesters also sprang up demanding a detailed inquiry, alleging torture by the management.

Police had registered a case based on the student's statement. The college management's general secretary Subhash Vasu, a BDJS leader, said the principal was only following the rules jointly set by Parent Teachers Association and the management. He was bound to inform parents. Earlier, in November, a group of girl students had sued Mr Vasu for using abusive language during protests against the management’s intervention in academic issues.