Violence on BHU campus, 25 students held

Varanasi, Sep 19 (UNI) Violent incidents were witnessed on the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus here this evening as students agitating for the restoration of students union went on the rampage the arrest of resulting in 25 students.

Police at the Lanka police station told UNI here that the proctorial board personnel were forced to resort to mild lathicharge twice this evening, first near the Hindi Bhawan and then near the Birla Hostel after students began pelting stones.

Over 25 students later courted arrest, the police added.

While the police and university sources denied any injury to students, unconfirmed sources said that three students and a man who had come to the varsity to meet his son was injured in the violence.

Demanding restoration of students union in the central varsity, over 200 staged a massive demonstration on the campus since afternoon.

The students, mostly from the faculty of arts blocked the road in front of Hindi Bhawan, located in the heart of the sprawling varsity campus.

Student shouted anti-BHU administration slogans despite the resence of varsity proctorial board personnel.

They said either the students union be revived or Vice-Chancellor Panjab Singh be made to quit from his post.

The students carrying placards bearing anti-BHU administration slogans continued to block the road, despite all efforts by teachers and proctorial board to get it cleared.

Students union election in BHU have not been held since 1996.

UNI ARS SAM VC2200