India / Masked miscreants armed with sticks roaming around: JNU Registrar

After violence erupted on campus on Sunday evening, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration said masked miscreants armed with sticks were roaming around inside the varsity, damaging property and attacking students. The administration has called in the police to restore law and order.

JNU registrar Pramod Kumar said in a statement, “This is an urgent message for the entire JNU community that there is a law and order situation on campus. Masked miscreants armed with sticks are roaming around, damaging property and attacking people. The JNU administration has called the police to maintain order.”

“This is the moment to remain calm and be on the alert.... Efforts are already being made to tackle the miscreants,” Kumar said.

“On the request of the JNU administration, police have entered JNU campus,” Delhi Police spokesperson Anil Mittal said.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday expressed shock and concern at the violence which erupted at the Jawaharlal Nehru University which left the university’s students union president Aishe Ghosh badly injured and bleeding. The chief minister also spoke to Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and urged him to direct the police to restore order at the varsity. “He has assured that he is closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary steps,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.

“The violence in JNU against students and teachers is highly condemnable. Directed Delhi Police to take all possible steps in coordination with JNU administration to maintain law and order and take action against the perpetrators of violence,” L-G Anil Baijal wrote on Twitter.

Members of JNU students’ union and ABVP clashed on the university campus on Sunday evening. It reportedly happened during a public meeting organised by the JNU Teachers’ Association.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members however, have denied any involvement in Sunday’s violence, according to a statement by ABVP members. “Around 25 students have been seriously injured in this attack and there is no information as to the whereabouts of 11 students. Many ABVP members are being attacked in hostels and the hostels are being vandalized by leftist goons,” the ABVP said in a statement.