A 20-year-old B.Tech student from Arunachal Pradesh was found dead in Kerala’s Ernakulam district in a suspected suicide case, prompting the State government to initiate a probe into the incident. Michi Marpu, a native of Naharlagun in Papum Pare, was found dead at his rented residence in Kothamangalam around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. He was a third-year engineering student at Mar Athanasius College of Engineering (MACE), Kothamangalam.
A section of students alleged that Marpu was distressed over the ‘year break system’ in the college, which reportedly mandated that only students who score 22 credits in Semester 4 are allowed to proceed to the next semester. The protesting students claimed that the minimum credit requirement for continuing studies at other engineering colleges in the State is only 18. The Kothamangalam police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) pertaining to unnatural death and launched an investigation.
State Higher Education Minister Roji M. John said a proper investigation will be ensured into the circumstances that led to the death of the student. He said along with the police investigation, a department-level inquiry will also be ordered into the incident. The Minister said the Kerala Technology University had recently decided to put on hold the ‘year back’ system and all colleges affiliated with the varsity were supposed to comply with the decision.
The Minister stated that MACE decided to continue with the system in its capacity as an autonomous college, despite being asked to reconsider the decision. He emphasized that institutions should be taking academic-related decisions considering the future and safety of students. The Minister also mentioned that around 20 students of the college in Kothamangalam were facing difficulties due to the ‘year back’ system.
The Student Federation of India (SFI) has also demanded a comprehensive probe into Marpu’s death. Marpu’s body has been kept at the Government Taluk Hospital in Kothamangalam, and an inquest and postmortem are scheduled for Sunday after the relatives of the student arrive. Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline of Maithri - 0484-2540530, Thanal Suicide Prevention Centre - 0495-2760000, and DISHA- 1056.
