THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Students and parents of IPMS College of Aviation at Aristo junction in Thampanoor here have urged the government to take steps to resume its functioning. It was shut due to protests after a Dalit BBA (aviation) student, Athira I.S., fell from the top floor of a lodge at Karipur in Malappuram on November 30 allegedly after torture by its vice-principal and some students. A section of parents told reporters here on Tuesday that the future of about 200 students was hanging in the balance as the institution remained shut.
They also tried to defend the institution, maintaining that faculty were strict only on aspects like dress code which were part of grooming session for aviation courses. "The institution is affiliated to the Bharathiar University and the semester examination of various courses are scheduled for next month. Hence the government should initiate urgent steps to resume its functioning," said Soman V., president of an association of parents and students. The association leaders also submitted a representation to education minister C Raveendranath in this regard.
The institution was functioning over the last six years, and it has been offering various courses including BSc (hotel management) and MBA. While the police suspects Ms Athira made a suicide bid owing to the alleged torture, the girl’s relatives raised suspicions over the incident. Principal of the institution Deepa Manikandan and five students were held by the police in a case registered in this connection.
