A tragic incident has emerged from Ernakulam district in Kerala, where a 20-year-old BTech scholar from Arunachal Pradesh was discovered dead at his shared rented quarters in Kozhipilly, near Kothamangalam. The deceased has been identified as Michi Marpu, a native of Naharlagun in Papum Pare district, who was pursuing his engineering degree at the MA College of Engineering in Kothamangalam. Roommates alerted local authorities on Saturday evening after finding him unresponsive inside the residence, sending shockwaves across the campus community.
Three-Page Note Discovered as Initial Probe Points to Academic Stress
According to law enforcement officers, Marpu was found lying on the room floor with a length of rope tied around his neck. He had been residing at the rented house alongside fellow students from the institution. Emergency responders rushed him to Kothamangalam Taluk Hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead upon arrival. Initial investigative findings suggest that Marpu may have attempted to hang himself from the ceiling, but the rope snapped under tension, causing him to fall to the ground.
During their inspection of the premises, investigating officers recovered a three-page letter penned in both English and Hindi. Preliminary inquiries indicate that academic struggles may have contributed heavily to his distress. Marpu had reportedly underperformed in several subjects and expressed deep apprehension about forfeiting an academic year. However, authorities emphasized that the exact sequence of events leading to his demise will be determined only after a full forensic and investigative process is concluded.
Minister Guarantees Thorough Inquiry as Police File Case
Responding to the tragedy, Kerala Higher Education Minister Roji M John stated that a comprehensive and transparent investigation would be conducted into all aspects of the case. The Kothamangalam police station has registered a case of unnatural death and commenced official procedures. Officials confirmed that the mandatory post-mortem examination will be conducted once Marpu's family members arrive in Kothamangalam from Arunachal Pradesh.
Disparity in Academic Credit Criteria Triggers Student Protests
The student's death has intensified anxieties and sparked outrage among the engineering college student body. Prominent student organizations, including the SFI and the KSU, have announced plans to launch campus demonstrations against what they term an excessively stringent academic policy. Student representatives allege that the institution's evaluation norms place an unreasonable burden on scholars compared to other engineering institutions across Kerala.
Student representatives highlighted that MA College of Engineering operates under an autonomous academic framework that mandates students to secure a minimum of 22 credits to avoid academic setbacks. In contrast, institutions affiliated directly with Kerala Technological University (KTU) require a baseline of only 18 credits. Campus groups argue that this strict 22-credit threshold creates acute pressure on enrolled students. The administration of MA College of Engineering has not issued an immediate statement addressing the allegations.
