Thiruvananthapuram: A 22-year-old BTech student from Mizoram, Valentine, was fatally stabbed near his college in Thiruvananthapuram. He was a student at Rajadhani Institute of Engineering & Technology in Nagaroor.
The police have taken a batchmate of Valentine's, also from Mizoram, into custody for questioning in connection with the murder.
The attack happened around 10:30 pm on Saturday, February 22, at a junction about 200 meters from the college. After locals alerted the authorities, the injured student was rushed to a nearby hospital and later transferred to KIMS Hospital, where he died from his injuries on Sunday morning.
Preliminary investigations indicate that an altercation between the two students may have led to the stabbing. According to local sources, both the victim and the suspect were involved in frequent disputes, often after consuming alcohol. Following previous incidents, both students had been expelled from the college hostel.
Police confirmed that the suspect was detained at the crime scene and that further investigation was underway.
Official data presented in the Kerala State Assembly reveals a disturbing rise in campus violence since 2016. Between May 2016 and June 2024, police recorded 500 cases of student-related violence, including three murders. The report points to the Student Federation of India (SFI), affiliated with the CPI(M), and the Kerala Students Union (KSU), linked to the Congress, as being responsible for the majority of these incidents. SFI activists were involved in 270 cases, while KSU activists were implicated in 112 cases.
The remaining cases were linked to ABVP, MSF, AISF, and Campus Front activists. A total of 3,183 students have been booked in various cases over the past nine years, reflecting the growing unrest in educational institutions across Kerala.
As the investigation into Valentine’s murder continues, authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the fatal confrontation. The incident highlights the persistent issue of campus violence in Kerala, raising concerns about student safety and law enforcement on college premises.
(Inputs from IANS)