IIT Palakkad Student Attacked on Campus, Undergoes Forehead Surgery
A final-year BTech student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad sustained a significant head injury after being allegedly attacked by an unidentified individual inside the campus on Monday night. The incident has prompted immediate security reviews and police investigation.
Attack Details and Immediate Response
According to institute authorities, the attack occurred around 7 PM on Monday as a group of students were walking from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam block to the Kedaram Mess block. The victim, who was walking behind the group, was allegedly assaulted by an unknown person, resulting in a forehead injury.
The institute's medical officer reached the scene promptly and administered first aid before the student was transferred to a private hospital. Initial medical examinations, including a CT scan, confirmed a head injury, leading to her referral to a private medical college in Coimbatore for specialized treatment.
Medical Treatment and Current Condition
The student underwent surgery on the right side of her forehead on Tuesday and is currently recuperating in the general ward at a private medical college hospital located at SITRA on Avinashi Road in Coimbatore. Institute authorities have confirmed that her condition is stable, and her parents are present with her at the hospital.
Police Investigation and Security Concerns
A team from the Kasaba police station visited the student at the hospital and recorded her detailed statement. According to official sources, the victim reported seeing a person wearing a blue shirt during the incident.
Critical security gaps have been identified:
- Although CCTV cameras are installed in many campus areas, the specific stretch where the attack occurred had no surveillance coverage.
- Police suspect the involvement of someone from within the campus community.
The Kasaba police station house officer and his team conducted a thorough inspection of the scene and interacted with students. Following their investigation, a First Information Report (FIR) was officially registered.
Institute's Response and Security Measures
In response to the serious incident, IIT Palakkad authorities convened a high-level meeting to discuss comprehensive security enhancements. The proposed measures include:
- Installation of additional CCTV cameras across campus
- Enhanced security patrols and monitoring
- Advisement for students to utilize campus bus and buggy services for internal travel
The IIT Palakkad director addressed students directly, assuring them that all necessary steps would be implemented to prevent recurrence of such incidents. The attack has raised significant concerns about campus safety protocols and student security measures at educational institutions.
