4 students attempt suicide during Independence Day function

Chandrapur (Maha), Aug 15: Four students of a junior college here allegedly tried to commit suicide during the 69th Independence Day celebration programme at the college premises today, police said.

The four Class XII students were present for the Independence Day celebrations held at their Vitthalrao Jadhav Junior College at Dampur Mohada village in Jiwati tehsil of the district this morning, when they tried to end their lives in the presence of other students and their teachers.

"After the flag-hoisting, the four students requested their teachers to let them go on the stage and present a song.

After the permission was granted, the four students went on the stage, but took out small bottles containing pesticide and then consumed the contents before all those present," Superintendent of Police Sandeep Diwan said.

The students were immediately taken to Chandrapur Civil Hospital in the city, where they were admitted for treatment. According to police, doctors attending to them said their condition was stable and all of them were out of danger.

They tried to take the extreme step as the management were ignoring their demands, police said.

"The students later stated that the college authorities were not paying heed to their requests to provide basic facilities at the college. They also alleged that there was lack of good teachers, labs in the college and that the college was not releasing their scholarships," Diwan said. Further investigation into the case is on.

PTI