Jajpur: Tension prevailed in the campus of a college in Odisha’s Jajpur district on Monday as a Plus III student threatened self-immolation in protest against an alleged attempt by a lecturer to sexually assault her.
According to sources, the Plus Three third year student of the college under Bari police station had complained to the principal about sexual harassment by the lecturer six days back. As the college authorities did not take action against the faculty, the student informed her classmates about it.
The students locked the gates of the college and staged a dharna demanding immediate action against the lecturer. The victim student also threatened to commit self-immolation for the injustice meted out to her.
After the student filed a complaint at Bari police station, the IIC went to the campus and assured the agitating students of starting investigation immediately and tracing the accused lecturer who has been absconding.
The victim girl told the media that though six days had passed since she filed the complaint neither the college authorities nor police had initiated any action against the lecturer. She also alleged that the college principal, who is also absconding, was trying to hush up the matter to protect the lecturer.
Meanwhile, in-charge principal Prabhakar Jena said investigation into the girl’s complaint was underway and all steps would be taken to ensure justice to the victim.
