Kochi: A year after stampede at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat), little has been done by the university to ensure that the situation returns to normal. The students and faculty have demanded urgent action to fix design flaws in the amphitheater and to reopen the road near the auditorium, which remains closed.
On 25 November last year, the stampede ended Dhishna tech festival hosted by Cusat’s School of Engineering (SoE) claimed four lives, three engineering students – Ann Rufta Roy, Athul Thambi and Sara Thomas – and Alwin Joseph. The incident occurred while singer Nikhita Gandhi was performing in the auditorium.
KSU and SFI, together with teachers and other staff, criticized the administration for a lack of action. They demanded adequate compensation, in addition to the state government’s Rs 5 lakh, to the families of the victims. Students claimed that the university failed to fulfill its promise to establish a scholarship program in memory of the deceased.
A faculty member criticized the removal of Deepak Kumar Sahoo, then Principal of SoE. Although an investigation found no evidence against him, he was not reinstated.
Cusat registrar AU Arun told TOI that the university has covered hospital expenses for students who need treatment and does not intend to compensate the families further. The state government has issued directions to renovate the amphitheater and it will be done in a time-bound manner, Arun said. No decision has been taken so far to reinstate Sahoo, he added.
Meanwhile, a senior police officer said that the investigation is on and a report will be submitted soon.