Hiroj Jyoti Das, a first-year MA Economics student from Assam, was allegedly assaulted by a group of students inside the Guru Gobind Boys’ Hostel at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) in Madhya Pradesh. The attack, reportedly motivated by his regional identity, left him with multiple serious injuries, including a fractured nasal bone and blood clotting in the eyes.

According to Das, the assault occurred in the early hours of January 13, around 4 am, when he stepped out to use the washroom. Six to seven allegedly intoxicated students stopped him, questioned him about his name and home state, and began beating him after he identified himself as being from Assam. He also reported receiving death threats during the attack.

The injured student was initially treated at the university dispensary, but due to the severity of his injuries, he was referred to the Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi district hospital for further treatment. The incident triggered outrage on campus, with students and NCC cadets staging a protest on January 14, surrounding the administrative building and demanding strict action against the perpetrators.

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In response to the protests, the university expelled five students—Anurag Pandey, Jatin Singh, Ranjeet Tripathi, Vishal Yadav, and Utkarsh Singh—and submitted the investigation report to police for legal proceedings. Students raised concerns about security lapses, including the absence of guards in hostels at the time of the attack, and questioned the administration’s commitment to safety.

A formal complaint was lodged at Amarkantak police station, leading to the registration of an FIR under sections related to attempted murder and criminal intimidation. The police confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, while attempts to seek a response from university officials were reportedly met with obstruction.

The assault has also drawn condemnation from local political leaders. Shahdol MP Himadri Singh called the incident “extremely reprehensible,” demanding accountability for both the attackers and negligent officials. Similarly, Sailana MLA Kamleshwar Dodiyar and Manawar MLA Hiralal Alawa criticized the university administration, emphasizing the need to ensure student safety and uphold the institution’s academic environment.

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