Udupi: Death of MIT Student Sparks off Huge Protest, Director Resigns

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (PS)

Udupi, Mar 16: Chaos prevailed at Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) and Manipal University here on Thursday March 15 following the death of a student in an accident.

Ishan Nihalani (21), a native of Rajasthan and second year student of bachelor of engineeing at MIT, sustained head injuries after falling off the college bus on March 10. He had been hanging on the bus footboard, reportedly due to lack of space in the bus, and fell off when the bus took a turn enroute to college from the hostel.

On Thursday, Ishan Nihalani succumbed to his injuries at KMC hospital in Manipal, which provoked the students to agitate against the management. However, sources in the hostel told Daijiworld that Ishan Nihalani had in fact died two days ago, but the hospital authorities delayed the announcement to avoid sparking off protests.

The students first met MIT director Dr Kumkum Garg and demanded strict action against the driver of the bus, alleging that he had driven the bus rashly which led to Ishan Nihalani's death. However, Dr Garg is said to have refuted their claims and said that it was Ishan Nihalani's mistake and his carelessness that cost him his life.

Angered at this, the irate students went on a rampage at around 4.30 pm, breaking the gate of the college, pelting stones and smashing the glass at the entrance.

They then marched off to Manipal University campus and held a massive protest wherein nearly two thousand students joined them. They demanded the immediate resignation of Dr Garg and raised slogans.

This was perhaps for the first time that such a huge protest was being witnessed in Manipal University.

University vice-chancellor Dr K Ramnarayan tried to pacify the crowd and held discussion with the students. He suggested that Dr Garg could go on leave for sometime and the joint director take charge in her absence. He also offered to give the students three days' off to condole the death of their collegemate, and said that he was willing to hold another round of talks on Saturday March 17.

However, the students were adamant and refused to comply with Dr Ramnarayan's suggestions. They firmly reiterated their demand for Dr Garg's resignation, and refused to budge from their stance.

Finally, Dr Garg tendered her resignation in the presence of pro-chancellor H S Ballal, registrar Vinod Bhat, and staff G K Prabhu. Only then the students were pacified.

Police had to rush to the spot to control the mob. Udupi DySP Prabhudev Mane and circle inspector Girish were among the police staff.