Protests erupted outside the Odisha Assembly on Wednesday after the death of a Balasore college student who set herself on fire. The student had accused the Head of the Department of harassment and had allegedly reached out to the authorities for help in the matter.
Biju Janata Dal workers had called for a “Balasore Bandh” from 6 AM to 2 PM demanding a judicial probe in the incident. The protestors burnt tyres on roads and came out to demand the resignation of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and education minister Suryabanshi Suraj, blaming them for the inaction.
Security was strengthened at the Vidhan sabha in light of the protest. Videos have surfaced from the area showing protestors trying to break the barricade and police forces shooting water canons to disperse them. The police retired to tear gas shells and water cannons to get the situation under control.
Odisha Chief Minister Charan Manjhi had earlier promised to prosecute those responsible.
"The news of the female Fakir Mohan Autonomous College student's passing saddens me greatly. The victim's life could not be saved, even though the government fulfilled all of its obligations and the skilled medical staff worked nonstop,” he said. The BJP politician wrote on X, "I pray for her deceased soul's ultimate rest and implore Lord Jagannath to provide her family the strength to bear this devastating loss."
“They had two to four complaints against the accused professor, and the college authorities asked me to wait for the internal committee report. My demand is that the culprit should be given the harshest punishment,” the father of the now-deceased student told ANI.
