Jalpaiguri, 28th September: A student allegedly poured kerosene over himself during class session at Ananda Chandra College in Jalpaiguri on Monday, triggering tension on the college premises.
According to reports, a first-semester History class was underway when the student suddenly took a bottle of kerosene from his bag and poured it over himself. The professor noticed the incident and intervened immediately before informing the college principal.
College Principal Dr. Debashis Das reached the spot after receiving the information. Police personnel from Kotwali Police Station also arrived at the college and took stock of the situation.
The student alleged that he and several other students had been facing beatings and harassment for some time. He claimed that outsiders frequently entered the college premises and misbehaved with and assaulted students.
The student further alleged that the matter had previously been brought to the attention of the college authorities and other concerned quarters, but no effective action was taken. He claimed that he had learned about a plan to attack him again on Monday and said that fear prompted him to take the drastic step as a form of protest.
Without explicitly naming any organisation, the student alleged that members of the ABVP were behind the alleged beatings and harassment. The ABVP, however, has categorically denied the allegations.
Police have initiated an investigation into the incident and are looking into the allegations raised by the student.
