17-year-old DMLT student found dead in Khammam hostel; BRS demands inquiry

Khammam: Suspicious death of a 17-year-old student at a Backward Classes Hostel in Khammam city triggered protests by family members and BRS leaders.

The deceased student Achala Ajaya Kumar of Ganeshpadu village in Raghunadhapalem mandal, was studying the second-year Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) course at ASR Government Junior College at Shantinagar area of the city.

According to sources, after spending time cheerfully and playing sports with his fellow students, Ajay Kumar went to the bathroom around 4 pm on Friday. When he did not return, his fellow students broke open the bathroom door around 6 pm.

They found him unconscious in the bathroom and rushed him to Government General Hospital where the doctors examined him and declared him brought dead. Ajay’s father, Lakshmi Narayana, died some time back and his mother, Upendra, who works as an agricultural labourer, supports his education.

Alleging that Ajay’s death was suspicious, family members and BRS workers staged a protest at the hospital demanding a comprehensive investigation to uncover the facts behind the incident.

Speaking to the media BRS leader, Pagadala Nagaraju wanted the State government to respond immediately and ensure justice for Ajay’s family. It was unfortunate that the three Ministers in Khammam district have not responded to the series of student deaths occurring in the district, he complained.

On learning of the incident, Additional Collector P Srinivas Reddy arrived at the hospital and held discussions with BRS leaders and members of the affected family. He assured that steps would be taken to provide an outsourcing job to one member of the family and an Indiramma house.