Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 18: While the flames of NIT Srinagar episode have hardly died down, some miscreants today flared up tension in otherwise peaceful Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University at Rajouri leading to violent clashes and burning of at least four vehicles.
Throughout the day today, the BGSBU campus was virtually turned into a battle ground between the two groups of students, one from Kashmir and another from Rajouri and Poonch areas. They freely exchanged bricks and blows and also resorted to heavy stone pelting on each other. Three cars and a motor-cycle were set on fire by one group while at least half a dozen other vehicles were damaged. Some of the cars were turned upside down by the violent mob of students.
A free for all situation was witnessed in the University for several hours while the University authorities closed the main gate and initially, denied entry to police. At least half a dozen students from both the sides received injuries during clashes. Most of the vehicles which were damaged belonged to the local students. This all started at around 11.30 am and all the students came out of their classes.
Later, SPP Rajouri Rajesh-war Singh and Deputy Commissioner Shabir Bhat reached the campus in the afternoon and the district administration forcibly intervened to contain the explosive situation. Even then one car was torched by violent mob in presence of police officers.
The police issued warning to the protesting violent students and maintained restraint. The officers in loud announcements asked students to come on the dialogue table to discuss the issue.
Later, a meeting of the senior University staff including Registrar Prof Attat Hussain, Dean Students Affairs Mohd Asgar, SSP, DC and student representatives started which remained inconclusive. Both the sides raised allegations and counter allegations and demanded action against each other. The Kashmir students alleged that they were beaten up by the local students while the locals alleged that Kashmiri students forced them to boycott classes over Kashmir killings issue and raise protest and they beat up some local students when they refused to do so. They alleged that Kashmiri students torched their vehicles and bikes and raised provocative slogans for disturbing peaceful atmosphere of the University.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Rajouri-Poonch Range, Johnny Williams when contacted said that actually trouble started two days back when a local student was said to be beaten up by some Valley based students over a minor issue. The university authorities claimed that the issue was amicably resolved. Yesterday also there was some minor clash but the university administration tried to down play it. But today it took an ugly turn and situation went out of control. The police was rushed from the DPL but they did not allow the policemen to enter the Campus for long on the plea that Vice Chancellor was out of Station.
The DIG said that then SSP and the DC Rajouri along with more force also rushed there after coming to know about the violent clashes. The police entered the campus forcibly. He said the situation was brought under control by involving students from both the groups in talks. Both sides were listened and they were asked to maintain restrain. He said some miscreants tried to disturb the peace and police will hold probe into it. An FIR will also be lodged in this connection and the guilty will be booked. He said two rounds of the talks have been held so far but students from both the sides want action against each other. He said two cars and two bikes said to have been torched and about half a dozen other vehicles parked there were damaged in stoning. It was also alleged that some non-locals entered the campus to disturb peace and the police will investigate all the angles including raising of anti-India slogans.
Dean of Students Affairs of BGSBU, Mohd Asgar claimed that Vice Chancellor of the Varsity has ordered an inquiry into the whole episode and asked to submit a detailed report within three days.
Meanwhile, local MLC Vibodh Gupta from BJP said that this violent clash engineered by some miscreants in this University which is established on the name of revered Sufi Saint Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah, respected by all the communities, has tried to tarnish the image of this reputed seat of learning in Rajouri. He demanded that high level inquiry be held into the matter and all those persons involved in disturbing peace, including students or some staff members should be brought to justice.
Despite repeated efforts, the Registrar of the University and the Vice Chancellor could not be contacted.
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