Agartala , Aug 01, 2024, TRIPURATIMES Desk

Agartala Aug 01: Tension runs high at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Agartala campus as the students are outraged over the death of Abhijeet Panda, a fellow student from the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Agartala on Wednesday night.

Alleging the cause of death to be gross mistreatment at the NIT Agartala hospital, large number of students gathered at the college premises to stage a protest.

The agitators revealed that, Panda was suffering from severe pain in his knee, shoulder and joints and was initially treated at the college hospital with over-the-counter pain medication and a topical analgesic.

When his condition worsened, the college failed to provide an ambulance, forcing friends to transport him in an auto-rickshaw. Panda died en route to a city hospital.

Friends and classmates of Panda have released statements detailing the alleged mistreatment, claiming he was denied glucose, refused an ambulance, and given insufficient pain medication.

They also alleged a cover-up attempt by the NIT Agartala staff, with claims of a pre-existing condition and pressure on Panda's roommate to provide a false statement.

"This is not just a loss; it is an unforgivable act of negligence," said one of the protesting students.

"We demand accountability. We want the truth. We want justice for Abhijeet”, they added.

Students are also questioning the use of medical funds at the institute, stating that if basic medical services and ambulance facilities cannot be provided, the funds are being misappropriated. They have gathered at Knowledge Park to protest and demand justice for Panda.

Sources have revealed that the director of NIT Agartala has not been seen since the incident, and the institute is yet to provide an explanation.

Meanwhile, the students remain resolute in their demands for accountability and justice, vowing to continue their protest until their voices are heard.