Sambalpur: The family members of a contractual employee of Sambalpur University, who died following a self-immolation attempt, staged a protest on the varsity premises on Wednesday.
The contractual employee, Dinabandhu Mishra, succumbed to burn injuries after attempting self-immolation when the academic council meeting of the varsity was underway on Monday. Later, he passed away while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
The family members of the deceased along with other contractual employees of the varsity staged protest by placing his body in front of the administrative block. They demanded punitive action against those responsible for Mishra’s drastic step, job for his son and payment of his two months’ salary.
However, the varsity vice-chancellor allegedly did not pay heed to their demand. Instead the VC directed the protestors to withdraw the agitation, it was alleged.
According to sources, Mishra had been working at the varsity for the last 27 years on contractual basis. Despite repeated pleas, his job was not being regularised by the varsity authorities. Frustrated over this, he set himself on fire after pouring kerosene yesterday.
Meanwhile, the deceased’s son lodged a complaint in this regard at Burla Police Station. Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the varsity VC Sanjeev Mittal, hostel warden Biswajit Satapathy and PEO Avinash Kar.
(Edited By Vikash Sharma)