[HT] Boy critical after brutal ragging

Link to report

Sambalpur, October 16, 2006

In an alleged incident of ragging, a student of the Orissa University of Agriculture Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar suffered serious spinal injuries and broke both his legs after allegedly being pushed off the hostel terrace by his seniors.

Siba Shankar Ash, a first year student of BSc Agriculture, is currently being treated in a private nursing home here. He will be taken to Bangalore on Tuesday, family sources said.

On October 10, Siba was in his hostel room when some seniors allegedly summoned him to the terrace. He was warned that if he did not come immediately, he would be subjected to severe ragging. “Siba said someone pushed him down from the fourth floor,” his uncle Tuhin Ash said.

The ragging had reportedly been going on from the start of the academic year. Siba had just got back after spending the puja holidays in Sambhalpur.

Siba was first taken to the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar by some classmates and then to MKCG Hospital in Cuttack. Later, his family members brought him to Sparsh Nursing Home in Modipara. Doctors treating him here said Siba had suffered serious spinal injuries and would have to be taken to Bangalore. At present, Siba is not in a condition to talk.

Meanwhile, the OUAT authorities have not taken any action against those responsible. PK Mohapatra, dean, College of Agriculture, said they had asked Siba's classmates how he had fallen but they had not said anything about ragging. “However, if the family complains and Siba gives us names, we will definitely take action,” Mohapatra said.