IIT-Guwahati bars journalists from entering campus

Guwahati: The Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IIT-Guwahati) authorities on Wednesday asked media persons not to visit the institute campus following the death of a 21-year-old student.  

A massive protest erupted on the campus of the prestigious institute on Monday following the alleged suicide of Binmalesh Kumar, a third-year BTech student of Computer Science and Engineering.

The deceased student was found dead in his room at Brahmaputra hostel. 

The incident sparked massive outrage among the students who blamed the institute authorities for their stringent attendance policies and alleged academic pressure.

Amid the ongoing protest, journalists were barred from entering the institute campus for reportage from the protesting site.

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While requesting the media persons not to visit the campus, the institute authorities assured that the situation is being treated with utmost urgency.

“Members of the media are requested not to visit the campus now. The institute assures you that the situation is being treated with utmost urgency. Media will soon be invited to the campus for a meeting with the director,” a statement issued by the institute authorities said.

It requested the journalists to cooperate and give the authorities a few days time to bring the situation back to normal.

 “We request members of the press to understand and cooperate with us in these difficult times and give us a few days to bring the situation back to normal,” the statement added.

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Media persons who visited the IIT-Guwahati campus on the outskirts of the city since Tuesday evening were turned away from the main entrance by the private security personnel of the institute.

On the other hand, the institute authorities also refused to respond to journalist queries. 

However, the media cell of the institute issued a media statement on Wednesday noon saying the authorities are implementing new measures for the wellbeing of the student community.