Mild tension prevailed at P.B. Siddhartha College of Arts and Science, as the students staged a four-hour-long dharna in front of the principal’s office, protesting the alleged suicide of Atluri Manikanta (20), a student of final-year B.Sc. of the college.
The students claimed that two professors were responsible for the student’s suicide. They demanded suspension of the professors, an open apology from them and compensation for the bereaved family from the college. The Assistant Commissioner of Police (Central Zone) Lavanya Lakshmi had to rush in with a team from the Machavarm Police Station and a section of CRPF to control the situation.
Manikanta committed suicide by jumping into an irrigation canal at Chinaogirala village on Saturday night. They claimed that he was forced to strip in the open corridor by Professors P. Babu Rao and K.V.R. Deekshitulu.
“They also threatened him that he will be debarred from all the examinations, which was against the rule. This would have upset him,” said Harika, a classmate.
However, principal of the college Mr. Padma Rao said that the student was not stripped in public. The students finally disbursed when the principal announced that Prof. Deekshitulu will meet the students on Wednesday to clarify his stand and if required will tender an apology.
