A protest containing 4000 students turned violent at VIT University, Sehore, Madhya Pradesh. The sequence of the event starts from the “unhygienic” hostel water, leading to a jaundice outbreak, allegedly claiming the lives of at least three students.
As the protestors gathered on the campus, they allegedly vandalized property, setting ablaze cars, buses, and bikes and vandalizing the chancellor’s bungalow.
By Tuesday night, tensions erupted into violent demonstrations, as students assembled at the hostels and the main gate, chanting slogans against the management and voicing anger over the administration’s inaction on serious health and safety concerns.
“The children had been complaining for many days that the water wasn’t clean and needed to be fixed, but no action was taken. Then, when many of the children started falling seriously ill, they began to protest,” a student told FoEJ Media
“There was a boy who fell seriously ill. The ambulance arrived late, and his condition worsened even more. A girl’s condition deteriorated right there in the hospital.” he added.
Police units from Sehore and nearby areas were pressed into action to restore order and curb further damage. Local student sources said the university administration had repeatedly brushed aside complaints about filthy conditions and the substandard food served in the hostels.
“For safety reasons, the college has been declared closed until November 30. Many students have already left for their homes. A list of sick students in the hostel is being compiled, and steps will be taken to resolve their problems by receiving their applications,” an officer told Indian Express.
The detailed investigation into the matter is underway, and significant police have been deployed on the campus monitoring the action. As the inquiry completes, further action will take place.
