Balasore: A shocking incident has come to light from Odisha's Balasore. A female college student immolated herself after being harassed by the college's Head Of Department (HOD), who allegedly repeatedly asked her for sexual favours and threatened to destroy her future if she did not co-operate.
The woman has suffered 95% burn injuries and a fellow student who tried to save her also suffered 70% burns. The female student is currently battling for her life at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, where she is undergoing treatment.The incident has been captured on CCTV camera.
The disturbing footage shows the woman engulfed in fire, running into a corridor of the college. A fellow student tries to help her, but retreats after his clothes catches fire. The woman walks out of the corridor and others can be seen trying to douse the fire.
Police Action
The police has arrested the head of the department, Samira Kumar Sahu.
Action By Education Department
The college principal Dilip Kumar Ghoshe and the HOD were suspended by the higher education department."Strict action will be taken against them,” State's higher education minister Suryabanshi Suraj was qouted saying by NDTV.
Internal Complaints Comitee Failed To Act
According to the Indian Express, the survivor, a student of the integrated B.Ed programme, had filed a complaint on July 1 to the internal complaints committee of the Fakir Mohan College.
She had alleged that her head of department, Samira Kumar Sahu, had been demanding "favours" and had also threatened her to destroy her future. The report further said, the woman had also filed a police complaint on July 1, but police did not act on it.
Took Extreme Step During Protest
According to college students, the woman, along with some other students, were staging a protest outside the college gate against the head of department on Saturday. Suddenly, she got up, ran to an area close to the principal's office, poured petrol on herself and set herself on fire.
