LU suspends 26 students with criminal background

Lucknow, Dec 13 (UNI) Lucknow University vice-chancellor R P Singh today placed 26 students under suspension and ordered 57 others to stay away from the varsity campus as part of the ongoing tirade against 'criminaliastion of student union politics'.

Addressing a news conference here, Mr Singh said 12 per cent of the students moved around in the campus carrying weapons.

He maintained classes in Lucknow University (LU) would not resume until ''normalcy'' returned.

The authorities had decided a few days back to close the institution sine die following student unrest.

On December 7, LU students had resorted to violence after the varsity announced its intentions to implement the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations for the Students' Union elections, earlier slated for December 16.

As the unrest created a law and order problem, Mr Singh announced the institute's indefinite closure and postponed the poll. He also blamed the state government and police for cultivating criminalisation in student politics. The political class shot back, charging him with ignoring democratic norms.

With the vice-chancellor clarifying that classes in LU and its affiliated colleges would resume only after 'goons' were ousted out of the hostels, the students on Monday held lectures at the varsity grounds. Seniors took classes for their juniors under full media glare.

Yesterday, student leaders cleansed the campus with ''pure water'' to protest the closure.

The students also performed a 'hawan', praying that better sense would prevail over the vice-chancellor, whom student leaders claim, was influenced by forces against the interest of Uttar Pradesh.

Seven degree colleges of the state capital which were closed since last week after students went on a rampage, were opened today, while teaching in LU would resume later.

The decision was taken after a meeting of principals of the seven degree colleges and the district administration.

Meanwhile, LU offices opened today to help students prepare for competitive exams.

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