Balasore, July 12: The Principal of Fakir Mohan College in Odisha’s Balasore and the Head of Department (HOD) of the Education Department of the college were placed under suspension following the alleged suicide attempt of a female student of the institution, officials said on Saturday.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj ordered immediate suspension of Principal Dillip Ghosh and HOD Sameer Sahu, hours after a female B.Ed student allegedly attempted suicide in front of the college gate.

As per the latest reports, HOD Sahu has been arrested amid allegations of demanding inappropriate favours and threatening academic sabotage.

A deeply disturbing incident unfolded at Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore, where a female B.Ed student, identified as Somashree Biswal, allegedly attempted suicide by self-immolation in front of the college gate today. The act was reportedly triggered by prolonged harassment from a senior faculty member and institutional neglect of her complaints.

Eyewitnesses stated that the student poured petrol on herself and set herself ablaze during a protest. Another student who tried to rescue her also sustained serious burn injuries. Both were rushed to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital, and Somashree was later shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar with over 90% burn injuries.

Student groups and civil society organizations have condemned the incident, demanding a transparent investigation, mental health support systems, and institutional accountability. The college administration is under scrutiny for allegedly ignoring prior complaints and conducting a biased internal inquiry.

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