Bhubaneswar: As many as 19 complaints of harassment of women students have been reported in different colleges and universities across the state since June last year, the state Assembly was informed on Friday.
This information was shared by Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj while answering a question by BJD MLA Tusharkanti Behera in the House.
As per the data shared by the Minister, six girl students have complained of sexual harassment, while nine have reportedly suffered mental harassment. This apart, two students reportedly encountered indecent behaviour during the period.
The Minister said the complaints have been lodged by women students in government degree colleges, non-government aided degree colleges and public universities of the state in the past year.
Out of the 19 cases, three were amicably settled, while the accused faculty was transferred in two cases, suspended in one and terminated in another, he added.
Similarly, FIRs have been lodged in connection with two such complaints reported from the Government Autonomous College (Rourkela), the minister said.
Informing about the self-immolation by a 20-year-old woman student at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore, Suraj said immediately after the incident, the government had placed both the accused and the principal under suspension.
He added that a three-member committee had been constituted under the chairmanship of the director, higher education, to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident.
An FIR has been lodged and the matter is being investigated by the crime branch, he said.
In July this year, the Odisha government had launched a comprehensive initiative, Shaktishree for ensuring the safety and security of female students and staff across all higher education campuses in the state.