Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Arunachal Pradesh engineering student found dead in Kerala; probe promised
A young engineering student from Arunachal Pradesh was found dead in the house he rented with classmates in Kerala.
His name was Michi Marpu and he was 20 years old.
Police found him lying on the floor with a rope tied around his neck.
They think he tried to hang himself from the roof, but the rope broke.
Doctors at the Kothamangalam Taluk Hospital declared him dead after he was rushed there.
A three-page note written in English and Hindi was found in his room.
Police believe he may have feared getting low marks and losing a whole year of college.
He reportedly had to leave the hostel and stay in a paying guest house because of the college's year-back system.
Students at his college plan to protest because their college requires 22 credits, more than the 18 credits at other state engineering colleges.
Kerala's higher education minister has promised a careful investigation and said colleges should take better care of young students.
Michi Marpu, a 20-year-old third-year B Tech student from Arunachal Pradesh, was found dead in his rented house at Kozhipilly near Kothamangalam in Kerala on Saturday evening.
Police found him lying on the floor with a rope tied around his neck and suspect he attempted to hang himself from the roof but the rope broke.
A three-page suicide note written in English and Hindi was recovered from his room.
Police said Marpu may have feared losing an academic year after scoring low marks; Higher Education Minister Roji M John promised a detailed probe.
Students have decided to protest, alleging the college's minimum credit requirement of 22 credits is higher than the 18 credits at Kerala Technological University-affiliated colleges.
- Who
- Michi Marpu (20), a third-year B Tech student at MA College of Engineering, Kothamangalam, from Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh
- What
- Found dead in his rented room with a rope tied around his neck; police suspect a suicide attempt, recovered a three-page suicide note and registered an unnatural death case
- When
- Found on Saturday evening; reported by police on Sunday, August 16
- Where
- Kozhipilly near Kothamangalam, Kerala, India
- Why
- Police suspect he feared losing an academic year due to low marks under the college's year-back system
Critics of the year-back system
MA College of Engineering administration
Minimum credit requirement
Critics of the year-back system
Students, along with SFI and KSU leaders, allege the autonomous college's minimum credit requirement of 22 credits is higher than the 18 credits at Kerala Technological University-affiliated colleges, and have decided to stage a protest.
MA College of Engineering administration
The college has given no immediate reaction to the allegations; police said a detailed probe is required to ascertain the circumstances leading to Marpu's death.
Year-back system after KTU's withdrawal
Critics of the year-back system
Minister Roji M John said KTU postponed or avoided the year-back system for this year and that he asked the college to re-examine the system, which reportedly placed around 20 students in similar year-back situations.
MA College of Engineering administration
As an autonomous institution, MA College of Engineering exercised its Academic Council's authority to continue with the year-back system and was not prepared to withdraw it despite the minister's request.
- Deceased
- Michi Marpu, 20
- Role
- Third-year B Tech student, MA College of Engineering, Kothamangalam
- Hometown
- Naharlagun, Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh
- Place of death
- Rented house at Kozhipilly near Kothamangalam, Kerala
- Suspected cause
- Attempted hanging from the roof; rope broke
- Suicide note
- Three pages, written in English and Hindi
- Legal status
- Unnatural death case registered by Kothamangalam police
- Protest issue
- 22-credit minimum requirement vs 18 credits at KTU-affiliated colleges
Sources
Arunachal Pradesh engineering student found dead in Kerala
Arunachal Pradesh engineering student found dead in Kerala, minister promises detailed probe - Telegraph India
Kerala Government Promises Detailed Probe Into Arunachal Student Death
Arunachal Pradesh Engineering Student Found Dead in Kerala