Sambalpur: A strike call by Garposh residents to protest the death of a local student in Vishakhapatnam, allegedly due to ragging by his friends in the hostel, disrupted daily life in the area around 110km from here.

Agitators led by Kuchinda MLA Rabi Naik blocked train movement on the Howrah-Mumbai line. Residents of Garposh blocked road with the body. Shop owners also downed shutters. They demanded a probe and arrest of students involved in the incident, compensation of Rs 1 crore for the victim's family members, and action against the educational institute for their alleged negligence.

Sriyanta Kesharowani was studying Plus Two science at the Sri Chaitanya Educational Institute in Vishakhapatnam and stayed in the college hostel. He was called by his friends to the bathroom on December 26. They put soap water on the floor and asked him to walk. When he slipped and fell down, about 4 to 5 students assaulted him. He also named the students who were involved in the assault. When he complained to vice-principal K. Laxman Rao, he allegedly did not initiate any action against the culprits or any steps for his treatment.