College lab asst dies in students’ clash in Odisha’s Soro

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Soro, Aug 10:

In a tragic incident, a laboratory assistant of Upendranath College in Odisha’s Soro died allegedly during students’ clash today. The deceased was identified as Ratikant Behera.

According to reports, students of the college had staged dharna in front of the main gate today over a clash between two groups of students yesterday.

College principal Bijay Mohapatra and some staffs, including Behera, went to pacify the agitating students. The staffs managed to convince the students to withdraw the dharna. After returning to staff common room, Behera complained of illness following which he was rushed to Soro community health centre (CHC) where he was declared brought dead, the principal said.

However, the brother of the deceased claimed that a group of students barged into the common room and one of them pushed Behera following which he fell down and died.

Police have registered an unnatural death case into the incident. The exact reason behind the death is yet to be ascertained. Investigation into the matter is on, a police official said.