Hundreds of students at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) protested against the amended Citizenship Act and were injured following police action on Sunday at a campus gate, forcing the administration to announce closure of the university till January 5. 

AMU Registrar Abdul Hamid said hostels are being evacuated. Violence erupted when AMU students gathered at the Babey Sir Syed Gate and raised slogans against the police action on students in Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia. “About 60 students are being treated at Nehru Medical College Hospital and most of them are with trauma and eye injuries caused by tear gas,” Chief Medical Officer Dr Nisar Ahmad said.

Tension prevailed in the area as police used batons and tear gas to control the situation. Police have sealed all gates to the campus. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Awanish Awasthi said, “Section 144 of CrPC remains imposed in all districts of Uttar Pradesh since November 9”. He also added, “In the evening, suddenly some students and unruly elements started pelting stones and also damaged property, due which a request was made to the administration to use force, so as to control the situation.”

“All other offices will remain open as usual and the closure of the university is for the purpose of reading and examination only. The remaining examination will be conducted after 05/01/2020,” he said in a statement. He said the schedule for examination will be notified later.

The district magistrate has been requested to make arrangements so that the hostellers could be sent home through buses. Rail officials are also being contacted in this regard, he added.

When asked whether the deputy inspector general sustained injuries in the clash, Anand said, “Some police personnel have sustained injuries. Whatever legal steps have to be taken, will be taken.”

In wake of the protests, internet services on mobile and wired connections has been suspended in Aligarh, Meerut, and West Bengal. Protests and demonstrations in universities in Delhi, Aligarh, Hyderabad and Kolkata have continued over the past few hours.

Meanwhile, scores of Banaras Hindu University students also staged a protest at the Lanka Gate in support of the AMU students. BHU students from the Left-backed AISA wing, along with other student unions, raised slogans in support of the AMU students.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath appealed to the residents of the state to maintain peace and harmony. “People should not pay attention to the rumours about Citizenship Amendment Act being spread by some vested interests,” he was quoted as saying in a statement.

Meanwhile, BSP President Mayawati termed the protests as “unfortunate” and demanded a judicial inquiry. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also appealed to all communities to maintain calm after violence rocked the AMU and JMI.

Source: PTI