GUWAHATI: Students of the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), Sonapur, staged a protest on Wednesday following the death of third-year B.P.Ed student Shruti Upadhyay. Shruti died at a private hospital in Guwahati on Tuesday morning. The students demanded an inquiry into her death and raised questions about the medical facilities at the institute.
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According to students, Shruti had been complaining of abdominal pain since September 4. They alleged that she informed the concerned authorities about her condition but was given painkillers.
Her condition worsened on September 6, following which she was taken to Sonapur District Hospital, students said. She continued to remain unwell, according to them.
Students also said that she later developed difficulty in passing urine and her condition became more serious. She was then referred to a private hospital in Guwahati for further treatment.
According to sources, doctors at the private hospital identified a serious medical complication. Shruti died on Tuesday after being brought to the hospital.
The exact medical cause of her death has not yet been officially confirmed, and the sequence of medical treatment leading to her death has not been independently established.
Her death has left her family, friends and fellow students devastated. Students expressed grief over the loss and said the incident has caused deep concern across the campus.
The protesters said they do not want to make premature accusations and are instead seeking to establish the facts through a transparent and impartial investigation. They want the inquiry to examine the treatment Shruti received from September 4, the response to her repeated complaints, the alleged delay in recognising the seriousness of her condition and the circumstances that led to her referral to the private hospital.
Students have also called for a review of LNIPE's medical infrastructure and emergency-response arrangements. They said a premier physical education institute should have adequate medical facilities, clearly defined emergency protocols and immediate access to critical care when a student's condition becomes serious.
They further demanded that corrective measures be taken to ensure that no other student or family has to face a similar situation.
The protest continued on the LNIPE campus as students raised slogans demanding justice for Shruti Upadhyay and accountability over the circumstances surrounding her death.