Post News Network
Kendrapara, Feb 9: A Dalit nursing student here consumed an overdose of paracetamol tablets to commit suicide following alleged harassment by the principal tutor of the nursing centre and the student secretary of the hostel Monday.
The victim was rescued and admitted to the district headquarters hospital. Doctors administered her treatment but stated that her condition was critical.
The matter came to fore after the girl’s uncle, who visited her in the morning, came to know about her ordeal and lodged a complaint with the chief district medical officer (CDMO) and the Town police. The incident has spread shockwaves in the area.
Sources said the victim, a second year nursing student at the ANM training centre on the district headquarters hospital premises and an inmate of the hostel, tried to commit suicide after hostel student secretary Puspalata Das asked her to clean the soiled utensils of more than 40 inmates as well as other kitchen utensils due to absence of the kitchen help.
When she refused to do so, Das and principal tutor Basantilata Panda made casteist remarks and hurled abuses at her. She alleged Das and Panda constantly used to harass her over the last one year and would often ask her do menial works. Unable to put up with their harassment she tried to end her life, the girl said.
Panda later telephoned the family members of the girl informing them that their daughter is sick. When contacted, Panda rejected the allegation of harassment. The victim was found crying while she was going to attend class following which they sent her back to the hostel, Panda claimed. Later, some students informed her that the girl was vomiting after consuming paracetamol tablets, Panda further claimed. She rather alleged the victim is of the habit of talking on her mobile phone for long hours at night and would get incensed on being pulled up.
CDMO Binayak Prusty said he has directed the ADMO for a probe into the matter and steps would be taken on receiving the inquiry report.
Meanwhile, Town police have registered a case and started an investigation into it.
