Ragging victim shifted to B'lore for treatment

Sambalpur, Oct 21: Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) Ist year student Siba Shankar Ash, who was seriously injured in ragging on October 10, left for Bangalore for treatment.

His family sources said Siba Shankar had suffered serious fractures in his legs, besides spinal cord injury, when he was allegedly pushed by the seniors from the second floor terrace of the Hostel of the OUAT campus in Bhuvaneswar.

The incident forced the government to ask the University authorities to take strong action against the students indulging in ragging. The Agriculture Minister had sought a report from the University authority.

The University Dean, along with a team of officials, had visited Siba Shankar here and recorded his statement. A police team from Bhubaneswar also arrived here yesterday and conducted the probe after the student's father lodged an FIR alleging ragging.

The OUAT Dean, meanwhile, has assured a special examination for Siba Shankar, who would be missing the first semester examination, slated to be held in December.

The Sambalpur District Bar Association has strongly condemned the incident and demanded exemplary punishment against the culprits.

A meeting of the Association was held yesterday and the members criticised the laxity of OUAT authorities in curbing the practice of ragging inside the hostel.

Former Orissa Chief Minister Hemananda Biswal also visited Siba Shankar while he was undergoing treatment at a private Nursing home here.

UNI