Assamese student brutually attacked in Annupur’s IGNTU:Attackers shouted, ‘Why did you come here to study? Now you will die here’

An Assamese student was brutally attacked in a racially and regionally motivated assault at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) in Anuppur, raising serious questions about the campus administration’s handling of such incidents. According to information, this is not the first time students from outside Madhya Pradesh have faced harassment at the university. Student leaders claim that prior attacks on students from Kashmir and Rajasthan also went unreported due to fear, and that suspending only five students involved in this incident is merely symbolic, as a larger group routinely targets students from other states. Horrifying night: Victim recounts attack Hirosh Jyoti Das, a first-year MA Economics student from Assam, recounted the traumatic incident that occurred on the night of 13–14 January. Residing in Guru Gobind Singh Hostel, Hirosh said he was awakened around 4 am by loud noises from the building. “When I went to the bathroom and returned, I saw several students inside my room. I politely asked them to leave, but when I mentioned I was from Assam, their behavior changed drastically. They shouted at me, calling me names, and said, ‘Why did you come here? Now you won’t leave alive.’ They attacked me until other students rushed in from nearby rooms,” Hirosh recalled. He sustained injuries including a broken nose and bruising near the eye. Fellow students immediately took him to the university dispensary, from where he was referred to a hospital for treatment. Student protest demands action The attack sparked protests on 14 January, with students gathering outside the administrative building demanding strict action against the culprits. Facing mounting pressure, the university administration issued an order suspending five students — Anurag Pandey, Jatin Singh, Rajnish Tripathi, Vishal Yadav, and Utkarsh Singh — involved in the attack. The order stated that the case would be referred to the disciplinary committee for further action and forwarded to local police for legal proceedings. The action was reportedly based on CCTV footage. However, students argue that the suspension of just five individuals is inadequate and merely a token gesture. Students’ Protest and Administration’s Action
Against this barbaric incident, university students mobilized from the morning of January 14. They gathered in front of the administrative building and staged a strong protest, demanding immediate and strict action against the culprits. Following increasing pressure from the students, the university administration issued an order. The order states: Based on the information and recommendation provided in the letter dated January 14 from the Chief Hostel Superintendent and Hostel Superintendent, the students who assaulted Hiros Jyoti Das in the hostel, including Anurag Pandey, Jatin Singh, Rajneesh Tripathi, Vishal Yadav, and Utkarsh Singh, have been expelled from the university with immediate effect. The matter is forwarded to the disciplinary committee for investigation and disciplinary action regarding the incident, and to the local police administration for legal action.” The order also clarified that this action was taken based on CCTV camera recordings. However, students allege that this action is merely a show-off. A 15-day suspension is a minor punishment and an attempt to protect the culprits. Campus culture of regionalism, racism, and drug abuse The incident highlights a growing problem of regionalism and discrimination at IGNTU. Riaz Chaudhary, a PhD student from Jammu Kashmir, said, “Students from across India come here. Most are good, but some groups harass others based on region, caste, or religion. North-Eastern students are often called ‘Chinki’ or ‘Chinese.’ Many incidents remain unreported due to fear.” Another student from Rajasthan, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that a group of 20–30 boys, mostly from Madhya Pradesh, openly consume drugs and target lone students from other states for beatings. Attack on Tribal Honor and Administrative Failure
Rohit Maravi, former president of the university’s student union and leader of the tribal student organization, considers this incident an attack on the honor of the tribal region and community. He says, “This is a tribal university. Incidents of racism and regionalism like this here hurt our honor. For several years, students have been subjected to such attacks, but the administration has remained a silent spectator.” A few days ago, even journalists were assaulted at the university gate. The attackers were intoxicated, which raises serious questions about the functioning of the hostel warden and chief warden. Our organization has been with the victim student since the incident. Tribal identity and administrative failure Former student union president and tribal student leader Rohit Maravi condemned the attack, stating that such incidents harm the dignity of the tribal university. “This is a tribal university, and attacks like this are an assault on our community’s honor. For years, the administration has remained silent, emboldening such groups.” He also highlighted past incidents of violence at the university gate, involving drunken attackers, raising serious questions about hostel management and overall campus security. Administration claims action taken, students disagree University PRO Rajnish Tripathi stated that immediate action was taken as soon as the incident was reported, with a committee formed to investigate and submit a report. “All necessary actions are being carried out as per rules,” he said. However, Amar Kanthak police station in-charge Lal Bahadur Tiwari confirmed that an FIR has been registered against the five named students, and investigations are ongoing. Students allege that without their protests, the administration would not have acted, and question the delayed arrests of the perpetrators.