JNU students lock hostel rooms and flee fearing police action

According to the students, the police action following the row over Afzal Guru’s death anniversary event has forced several students to leave their hostel rooms as most of them are fearful of the police action.

“Last night police carried out a search operation across the hostels including Mahi and Mandvi the prominent among others,” said Amit, a student on the campus. “A Little over 10 pm, more than 50 police officials accompanied  with the Rapid Action Force started knocking the doors of the hostels and carried out a search  of the rooms. 

They were asking about a few students, those allegedly involved in organising  Afzal Guru’s death anniversary event  on February 9, and shouting anti-Indian slogans,” he added. Police had raided the university hostel on Friday night,  looking for several students including the organiser of the anniversary Rama Linga. 

“There must be proper action according to the law against those involved in anti-national activities, but no witch-hunt should be allowed on the campus,” said an All India Students Federation Member.

“Male police were  going and raiding girls’ hostels. A situation of undeclared emergency  is prevalent in the campus,” wishing not to be named, a member of AISA said. 

 

“Since the incident  took place, a heavy boot presence is seen in the campus. “Students are being stopped and questioned at the entrance and exit gates of the varsity, the situation has led to a scarcity of goods of basic utilities,” said Bijendra Jha, a scholar. The incident started on the night of  February 9, when a group of students organised an event in which anti-India slogans were raised.

While taking action, police have arrested JNU students union president Kanhaiya Kumar on Friday in connection with a case of sedition and criminal conspiracy over the holding of an event at the prestigious institute against the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

The arrest of the JNUSA president attracted heated criticism from wide sections of the intelligentsia including the professors and political leaders. Meanwhile, the administration of JNU has already instituted a “disciplinary” inquiry as to how the event took place despite the withdrawal of permission and said it will wait for the probe report before taking any further action.