FIR filed in JNU case, crime branch to probe violence; univ officials meet L-G

More than 12 hours after masked and armed miscreants attacked students and faculty at the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi police on Monday (January 6) filed cases against unidentified persons, under sections that deal with rioting and damage to public property.

The police have also sought CCTV footage from the varsity authorities on Sunday’s violence.

And in the aftermath of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah holding talks with Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal, the case has been transferred to the crime branch of the city police. This followed a meeting between the Delhi police Public Relations Officer (PRO) MS Randhawa and a delegation comprising students and teachers of JNU.

The delegation submitted an application, to the Delhi Police PRO, with four demands that  included urgent medical assistance to the injured students and arrest of those responsible for the violence apart from demanding that the cops leave the university campus.

“The police have assured us that they will look into the matter and our demands,” president, Federation of Central University teachers associations Rajib Ray, said.

Also Read: JNUSU blames Vice Chancellor for violence, demands his resignation

Later, the Registrar and Pro-Vice Chancellor of JNU met the Delhi LG and apprised him of the prevailing situation at the premier institute.

According to sources, Union Home Ministry officials are in touch with the Delhi police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik to keep themselves updated about the status of probe into violence.

Meanwhile, Aishe Ghosh, JNUSU president, who suffered head injuries in the violence at the university, and 23 others were discharged on Monday.

It is to be noted that violence broke out at the JNU on Sunday night as masked men armed with sticks and rods attacked students and teachers and damaged property on the campus, prompting the administration to call in the police which conducted a flag march.

Eyewitnesses alleged the attackers entered the JNU premises, when a meeting of the JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) was on over the issue of violence on campus, and assaulted students and professors.

They also barged into three hostels. Video footage aired by some TV channels showed a group of men, who were brandishing hockey sticks and rods, moving around a building. The Left-controlled JNUSU and the RSS-backed ABVP blamed each other for the incident.

Also Read: JNU VC appeals to students to maintain peace; HRD ministry calls meet with univ top officials

Meanwhile, the situation remained tense but peaceful outside JNU on Monday morning as the university guards’ maintained a strict vigil at the gate, checking I-cards of all those entering the university. A huge contingent of police personnel too has been deployed as a precautionary measure.

(With input from agencies.)