Stating that the state government has taken the incident “very seriously”, Majhi said the Higher Education department has already formed a high-level committee to probe into the incident
Odisha CM Mohan Majhi meets with the family of the victim on Sunday. PIC/X@airnewsalerts
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday who reached AIIMS Bhubaneswar and enquired about the condition of the college student said her health was “critical” and the state government would take strong action against the culprits. “The condition of the student is critical. She is being provided with the treatment akin to that available in AIIMS, Delhi. A medical team is formed for her treatment. The government will consider airlifting the patient after her condition stabilise,” Majhi told reporters.
Stating that the state government has taken the incident “very seriously”, Majhi said the Higher Education department has already formed a high-level committee to probe into the incident. “The state government will take advance measures in educational institutions to avoid repeat of sexual harassment incidents on campus,” the chief minister said. Majhi also met the parents and family members of the victim student at the hospital. Earlier, Odisha Health minister Mukesh Mahaling and Higher Education minister Suryabanshi Suraj visited the hospital.
A woman student of a college in Odisha’s Balasore district, who had lodged a sexual harassment complaint against a teacher, on Saturday allegedly set herself on fire on the institute’s campus and sustained 90 per cent burns, the police said. The incident took place Saturday afternoon after the woman student met the principal of Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College, Balasore, Dilip Kumar Ghose.
NCW takes cognizance
Taking suo motu cognizance over over an alleged sexual harassment incident, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Sunday asked the DGP to take strict action against the culprits. Describing the Balasore college woman student self-immolation incident as “deeply disturbing”, NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has asked the Odisha DGP to “ensure a fair and time-bound” investigation.
The NCW also asked the Odisha police to take strict action against the accused and extend all necessary medical and psychological support to the victim free of cost. “An action taken report must be submitted to the Commission within three days,” the NCW said.
Teacher arrested
A sexual harassment complaint was filed against Samira Kumar Sahu, Assistant Professor (Stage-l) in Educational Studies, who is also the head of the department following which the teacher was arrested. Meanwhile, taking a serious note of the incident, the Odisha government placed the college principal under suspension.
According to the victim’s freinds, she student was under severe mental stress for the past several days over the alleged harassment by the head of the department. On Saturday, state Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj visited AIIMS Bhubaneswar to enquire about the health condition of the woman student. He said the government is committed to take stringent action in this matter.
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