JNU violence: Cops pleaded for hrs in vain with students,says DCP

Meanwhile,DCP (South) H G S Dhaliwal said police were forced to use the baton and teargas shells since they were left with no option after pleading with students for over seven hours to not take law into their hands. He said some agitators might have come from outside. The police said all four suspects are South Delhi residents — Nanda lives in Malviya Nagar,the others are residents of Laxmi Bai Nagar.

Thirty-three policemen,including Vasant Vihar Station House Officer,were injured as the students refused to let police take the suspects out of the campus. Seven students also suffered injuries as police resorted to lathicharge and lobbed teargas shells.

“Students wanted to take the law into their hands,” DCP Dhaliwal said. “They dismantled the Hyundai Accent car the four had driven in and set it on fire. They also tried to torch a police van.”

He said the police then “had to take action” to bring the situation under control.

He said police arrived on the scene within five minutes after a call was made at 2.35 pm Sunday by the university security guard. The complaint said four men in a car were drinking in the campus and went till Sabarmati Hostel. They allegedly passed lewd comments on a female student and when asked to stop by security persons,one of them flashed a ‘weapon’.

While the four tried to flee,students didn’t let the car get out of the JNU gate,Dhaliwal said. He said students demanded the presence of Assistant Commissioner of Police and Station House Officer but after they reached the spot,the students sought custody of the accused. Soon,a scuffle broke out with the police.

Dhaliwal said though some students were convinced,a section of them set fire to the car.

Asked whether the police took permission from JNU administration before entering the campus,Dhaliwal said,“The police do not need any permission to save lives.”

Vasant Kunj (North) police have resgistered a case under IPC Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt),452 (criminal trespass),354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty),506 (criminal intimidation),34 and the Excise Act.

Students union ‘introspects’,blames admin
Studentgs’ organisations in JNU today “introspected” on the violence unleashed by a section of students on Sunday.

Students’ organisations cutting across party affiliations criticised the JNU administration,accusing key officials of inaction. A joint statement issued by JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) today also questioned the role played by a section of students. “While appreciating the mature role of the student community… we also express serious concern over certain developments during the incident,which require introspection,” it said.

The statement said JNUSU has to “ensure such situations are tackled in future keeping with democratic traditions of student movement in JNU”.

JNUSU president Sandeep Singh said,“All parties have taken last night’s events seriously.” The Democratic Students’ Union refused to sign the joint statement because it did not agree with certain aspects of it. “We can introspect in due course of time but doing so now will dilute focus of the agitation,” DSU activist Banojyotsna said.

Dean of Student Welfare V K Jain said JNU will constitute a committee to submit a report on the issue by Friday morning.