Two engineering students commit suicide in TN

Chennai: A first year engineering student today allegedly committed suicide by jumping into a well at his college in Chennai while another student hanged himself after he was reportedly admonished by the college faculty in Coimbatore, police said.

At Coimbatore, Vignesh pursuing his third year engineering course allegedly committed suicide at his hostel room last evening, after he was reportedly admonished by the faculty.

The suicide led to protest by students on the campus, seeking action against the faculty.

A group of students pelted stones at the college building and then blocked a road, demanding immediate action around midnight, police said.

The body of the 20-year-old student, hailing from Villupuram district, was sent to the Government Hospital for post-mortem. However, relatives and students refused to accept it, demanding speedy probe into the matter, police said.

About 100 students staged a sit-in in front of the district collectorate demanding an inquiry.

After senior police and district officials pacified the agitators at the hospital and assured them of taking necessary action, the body was handed over to relatives, police said.

In Chennai, 18-year-old first year engineering student T Abinath was spotted sitting on the well this morning by a college employee and jumped into it even as the staffer, who had spotted him, requested him to get off from the spot.

Abinath, who lived in the college hostel, belonged to Perambalur district. The college is situated in a city suburb off Tambaram.

“He had arrears and it appears he was depressed and confused. He seems to have been interested in studying medicine. We are looking into the incident,” Kundrathur Police Inspector Ruben said.

A case was registered and the body recovered by Fire and Rescue personnel, he said.

“It has been sent to the Government Chromepet General Hospital for autopsy,” Ruben told PTI, adding that the student’s parents have arrived.

The incidents come close on the heels of similar one involving students, including three girls of a Naturopathy College in Villupuram District some two month ago.

On January 23, three girl students of SVS Medical College of Yoga and Naturopathy at Villupuram had committed suicide by jumping into a farm well over alleged harassment by the management demanding ‘exorbitant’ fees.