Avinash in hospital bed. TV grabKottayam: The kidneys of a first year student at the Government Polytechnic College, Nattakom were damaged after he was subjected to cruel ragging by seniors.
Avinash, the victim, is from Irinjalakuda and a first year electrical diploma student. In the ten days that he was admitted to the hospital, he had to undergo dialysis three times. With this, two students have been admitted for medical care following ragging at the same college.
Shyju B. Gopi, who was also hospitalized, had complained to the police and seven SFI workers were charged by the police. According to doctors, excessive physical exertion by way of strenuous exercises and alcohol caused damage to Avinash's kidneys.
It is believed that the ragging was led by a person who had completed his course last year. All the seven who have been accused by the police in the case are SFI workers. Abhilash Manu, a third year student and second-year students - Nidhin, Praveen, Sharan, Jerin and Jayaprakash - are the accused. The college has suspended the seven while the Human Rights Commission has sought an explanation from the college.
Nine first year students were subjected to ragging. The hostel accommodates students from backward communities. One portion of the hostel is occupied by students of Nattakom Government College and the other portion houses polytechnic students. According to the statement of the ragged students, they were subjected to cruel ragging on December 2, from 9.30 pm to 3 am. They were asked to do strenuous physical exercises after being stripped naked. Then they were forced to drink alcohol.
Shyju and Avinash, who became unwell following ragging, went home the next day and were admitted to hospitals in Ernakulam and Thrissur respectively. Avinash was subjected to dialysis on December 7 after doctors found that his kidneys had malfunctioned.
The Irinjalakuda police filed a case and transferred it to the Chingavanam police. State Human Rights Commission member K. Mohankumar has directed the technical education director and Kottayam district police chief to submit an inquiry report in two weeks. The principal of the college was also asked to submit an explanation.
