Ragging Death: Villagers observe bandh in Odisha

Sambalpur: The residents of Garposh village in the district called for a 12-hour bandh on Sunday protesting against the death of a +2 student in an alleged ragging case by his classmates.

The deceased has been identified as Shreyas Kesharwani, son of Shailesh Kesharwani of the village under Bamara block in the district. He was studying at Sri Chaitanya College, a private run college, in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

16-year-old Shreyas was mercilessly beaten inside Prashanti boys’ hostel and was first admitted in a hospital in Rourkela and later shifted to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, revealed his family members.

“Shreyas had earlier brought the ragging incident to the notice of the college authorities; however, they did not pay a heed. Later, the helpless boy informed me about the ragging and I brought him back to Odisha,” said Shailesh, father of Sheryas, while speaking to Kalinga TV.

Kuchinda MLA Rabinarayan Naik also condemned the ragging incident and joined the protest today.

“I strictly condemn the ragging incident that killed Shreyas. The culprits must get stringent punishment in this connection,” said the MLA.

“I also appeal both the State Governments to take stern action against the institution that failed to provide security to its own student. In addition, I urge the government to provide adequate compensation to the parents of the deceased student,” he added.

Significantly, Sreyas had also narrated the ordeal to his family members besides naming some of his friends involved in the ragging case.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered at Garposh police station in this connection.