Action demanded against faculty responsible for Nithin Raj's death; Students protest by removing coats

KANNUR: The students of Anjarakandy Dental College protested by removing their white coats in the death of Nithin Raj, a first-year BDS student. The students are protesting in front of the college, demanding action against those responsible for the death. Along with dental students, students from other sections of the campus also joined the protest. Following Nithin Raj's death, the students had submitted written complaints against the accused teachers to the authorities.

The SFI leader said that the apolitical conditions in the campus were due to the inability of important student organizations in Kerala to function and that a unit of SFI would be set up from today. A protest march led by the Scheduled Caste Welfare Committee was also held to the college. A protest march led by DYFI will be held today to Dr Ram's clinic in Edakkad.

Even as the protests intensified, the police have not yet been able to arrest the accused. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar had directed to take strict action against the culprits. The governor, who is also the chancellor, directed Health University V C Mohanan Kunnummal. He had met the governor and submitted a preliminary report.
The investigation committee of the health university will visit the college today and collect evidence. Reports say that the statements of the students will be recorded. University Governing Council member Major General Ajith Neelakantan is heading the investigation.

Meantime, the college management meeting had decided to expel Dr S K Ram, the accused in Nithin Raj's death. Ram, who is the head of the Oral Pathology department, will be expelled soon after completing the procedures. The decision has not been officially released.

Nithin Raj belongs to Nedumangad in Thiruvananthapuram. Nithin fell from the college building last Friday. He was immediately taken to the hospital but his life could not be saved. Dr Ram used to abuse him in the name of caste and this is likely to be the cause of death. Several complaints were filed against Ram before Nithin’s death. After his death, Nithin's classmates levelled serious allegations against Ram. The management meeting agreed that further action should be taken after an investigation is conducted against Dr Sangeetha Nambiar, accused along with Ram. Both were suspended. Both are absconding after the police registered a case against them on charges including caste abuse and abetment to suicide.