Saty Niketan tragedy: Students allege Delhi government hiding death toll
Protesting students claim at least three to four students are still missing, and the number could be higher.
After the collapse of a PG building in Satya Niketan, Delhi, more than 150 students from Delhi University have started an indefinite protest for the past two days. The students claim that several individuals are still missing. The protesting students allege that the Delhi government is hiding the actual number of deceased. They have demanded that the government make all data related to the incident public. Seven people died in this incident, while five others were injured.
According to a report by The Hindu, the protesting students have alleged that the Delhi government is concealing the actual number of deceased. A representative of AISA, Unnayan, said,
“At least three to four students are still unaccounted for. This number could be higher. Their parents have searched at AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, but their children were not found there. We are trying to locate these students.”
They also claimed that,
“The basement of the building has not yet been completely cleared, and there may be some workers trapped there.”
The students alleged that,
“Some relatives and friends of the victims are being denied entry to the AIIMS Trauma Centre, which is increasing confusion and distress regarding the incident.”
The main demands of the protesting students include ₹1 crore compensation for each deceased's family, a security audit of all PG accommodations, imprisonment of those responsible for violations, and adequate hostel facilities for students.
It is noteworthy that on Wednesday, following the Satya Niketan PG building incident, various student organizations staged a vigorous protest at the South Campus of Delhi University. The students raised demands for action against those responsible for the incident and immediate improvements in the safety arrangements of private PG accommodations. The protest included several student organizations such as the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), AISA, ASAP, and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). The protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and the implementation of strict safety regulations for private PG accommodations.
ABVP organized a large-scale ‘Student Safety March’ from the university's rugby ground to the Arts Faculty. Students from various colleges of Delhi University participated. With the slogan ‘How long more?’, the organization demanded immediate structural and fire safety audits of all PGs in student-dense areas and strict action against those responsible for the incident.
“The main demands of the organization include a security audit of all PGs within 30 days, construction of new hostels for students, and the formulation of clear rules and regulations to regulate private PG accommodations,” the organization stated.
Sarthak Sharma, Delhi state secretary of ABVP, said that the aim of this initiative is to provide students with an easy means to identify the dangers present in their accommodations and to inform authorities about unsafe conditions. “Our campaign will continue until concrete action is visible regarding student safety,” he added.
Meanwhile, NSUI targeted the Delhi University administration. The organization questioned the Vice-Chancellor's participation in official events just days after the incident. NSUI activists protested during a university event, alleging that the administration showed insensitivity towards the affected students.
In the meantime, the usually bustling streets of Satya Niketan are now filled with suitcases, large bags, and other belongings. Following the directive to vacate unsafe buildings, hundreds of students have started leaving their PGs.
Many students reported that,
“Those residing in PG buildings with four or more floors are being asked to vacate first. There are fears that such buildings may be demolished as part of action against illegal constructions.”
Friends and relatives of many students who were out of the city at the time of the incident are arriving at the PGs to collect their belongings. One relative stated, “My niece got admission to Maitreyi College a month ago and had started staying in a PG here. Her parents are in Guwahati and cannot come from so far so quickly. We have come to take her and her belongings after their call.”
The large number of students vacating their PGs has created an atmosphere of uncertainty in the area. In the densely populated Satya Niketan, a significant number of PGs operate for students of the South Campus of Delhi University. Currently, the biggest concern for students is to find a safe place to stay. Meanwhile, serious questions remain regarding the strength and safety of other buildings in the area.