GULBARGA: The Central University of Karnataka has decided to shut down for 10 days from Saturday following the death of one of its students. Chand Ali, a first year MTech student, died due to suspected Hepatitis-E at Hyderabad on Wednesday evening. It was alleged that Ali died after consuming impure water in the university hostel.
Shivaganga Rumma, in-charge registrar of the university, told Express that during a condolence meeting held on the university campus on Friday, it was announced that the university would be closed till November 9. The decision was taken after students protested against supply of impure water on the campus.
Rumma said that the university has spent about `3 lakh for Ali’s treatment, as per the university norms. The students have also demanded that the university pay compensation to Ali’s next of kin. The matter will be looked into by in-charge vice-chancellor Sudhindra Rao after he returns to Gulbarga, Rumma said. She said Ali’s stools and blood samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, for confirmation on the cause of death. Once they get the report, the university will decide on the next course of action. Rumma said work has commenced to make the water purification plant on the campus functional.
She said that students residing in the hostels use mineral water for drinking and water from Amarja river for other purposes. Some students alleged that the river water might have made Ali sick.
Two more students were admitted to a hospital in Gulbarga. Pratap of Koppal is said to be suffering from diarrhoea, while Sharada from Andhra Pradesh, is suffering from appendicitis, Rumma said.