Jamia University closed indefinitely due to violence

New Delhi, July 19 (UNI) The Jamia Millia Islamia University was closed indefinitely today as a precautionary measure after violence on the campus yesterday.

''I am pained to close down the Jamia Millia Islamia sine die. We are sorry for the inconvenience caused to a number of students... We assure you that we will do our best to safeguard your interests and resume classes at the earliest,'' University Vice-Chancellor Mushirul Hassan said.

He also issued orders to students to vacate the hostel within the next 48 hours otherwise their claim to a room in the hostel will not be considered.

Police and Rapid Action Force (RAF) have been deployed in large numbers as tension prevailed on the campus.

Violence broke out in the campus yesterday after Students' Union President Shams Pervez and some other students alleged that University staff, including the Proctor, and some unidentified people tried to attack them when they tried to meet the Vice-Chancellor regarding denial of admission to them.

The Union Leader was admitted to hospital with serious injuries after about half a dozen alleged ''Proctor Rocket Ibrahim, his son and their men'' beat him up last evening.

Following which students reportedly went on the rampage and damaged Jamia property and some vehicles.

The Students are demanding the Vice- Chancellor's and the Proctor's resignation. They are likely to go on hunger strike from tomorrow. Students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) also expressed support to the Jamia students.

Denying the allegations about the involvement of the University staff, Prof Hassan said yesterday, a small group, led by Mr Pervez, stormed into his office at around 1600 hrs in presence of a visitor.

''I asked them to leave and wait outside. That was when a minor scuffle broke out between two groups. I was told that the scuffle was between outsiders with a criminal record,'' he added .

''I was in a meeting with the Directors, Coordinators, Finance Officer and others when yet another round of violence took place,'' he said.

The Vice Chancellor said the extent of damage done by the miscreants is unforgivable.

''Cars of university professors were damaged, windowpanes smashed, offices ransacked, and computers and university furniture destroyed,'' he added.

About denial of admission to students, who claim that they are being targeted for their involvement in union elections last year, Prof Hassan said about ''40-odd miscreants'' have been denied admission.

''In the past, previous vice-chancellors denied admission to students on disciplinary grounds. Maybe, twenty names have been added to that list during my tenure.... The Academic Council rejected their representation for admission last week,'' he said.

''The authorities have denied admission to forty-odd miscreants who wish to use their muscle power to contest the forthcoming elections,'' he added .

Prof Hassan said he honoured the democratic rights of the students by holding elections after eight years but at the same time anti-social elements will not be allowed to ''hijack the University''.

''The future of our university is threatened by a small group, who have no interest in its progress,'' he added.

Jamia Spokesperson Rakshanda Jaleel said management denied admission to some people as they were found to be ''trouble makers''.

''We have denied admissions to some people and we don't want them as part of the university because they are ''trouble makers''. This is the University's effort to improve discipline on the campus,'' she added.

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