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In a recent happening, students of the prestigious National Institute of Technology (NIT), Durgapur, organized a candlelight march after the death of a student due to medical negligence. Prasenjit Sarkar, a final year electrical engineering student of the institute died on 18 November due to medical negligence by the institute’s medical unit.
Around 5000 NIT, students marched with candles in hand across the city and protested against the death of their fellow mate. Police maintained surveillance throughout the march.
The body of Prasenjit Sarkar was taken to the Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, which is around 70 Km from Durgapur for post-mortem to avoid further chaos apprehended by the NIT authority.
Prasenjit complained of severe discomfort during the semester examination on Wednesday, he was unable to sit in the examination hall for only about an hour. In the evening, he was taken to the NIT own captive medical unit. At the medical unit, he was given saline and the medical officer, Dr. B Sarkar, discharged him suggesting some sedatives.
Prasenjit’s condition deteriorated at the hostel and died on the way to the city hospital.
Students assembled in front of the bungalow of Dr. Tarakeshwar Kumar, the NIT Durgapur director at 12:30 am. Dr. Kumar refused to come out of his residence and the students stayed there till 5:30 am Thursday (19 November). Also, the director’s office was ‘gheraoed’ till late evening on Thursday, by the agitating students, who demanded that he step down.
The students demanding the resign, and the Medical Officers Dr. B Sarkar and Dr. S Patra be the suspension. They have further demanded a financial compensation from the institute for Prasenjit’s family.
