Odisha's Balasore District Shuts Down Amid Protests Over Student's Tragic Death

Protests Erupt in Balasore Following Student's Death

Balasore: In Odisha's Balasore district, a bandh called by the Opposition BJD led to the closure of markets, schools, and a significant reduction in vehicular traffic as protests unfolded over the death of a college student.

The second-year B.Ed student from Fakir Mohan (Autonomous) College succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar on Monday night after battling for her life for three days.

She had tragically set herself ablaze on campus Saturday, reportedly due to the lack of action against a professor accused of sexual harassment.

The bandh commenced at 6 am and is scheduled to last until 2 pm.

BJD supporters, waving party flags, blocked key roads in the district, setting tires on fire.

Authorities indicated that traffic on the national highway traversing the area is being managed due to the ongoing protests.

Demonstrations were also reported in other locations such as Jaleswar, Basta, Soro, Baliapal, and Bhograi since the morning.

BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra expressed the public's outrage, stating, "People are very angry over the denial of justice to the student who ultimately set herself on fire and died."

He further emphasized that the party would persist with protests statewide until the BJP government agrees to a judicial inquiry into the matter.

Protesters are also calling for the resignation of Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, holding them accountable for the perceived failure to deliver justice for the 20-year-old victim.

Both the college principal and the accused professor have been taken into custody by law enforcement.