ABVP beats up principal in MP

Tikamgarh, MP, Aug 19 (UNI) Two Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) workers have been arrested for beating up a government college principal and his family members with hockey sticks and lathis at his residence in this district headquarters, police said today.

Post-graduate College Principal Shivcharan Chaurasia was targeted late on Friday by armed workers over the issue of a students' union poll. Six ABVP workers were absconding. Those apprehended were identified as Shailendra Awasthi and Deshraj Tagore. The college lecturers were seriously contemplating not taking part in the election, three days later, in protest against the incident.

The victim complained that the accused even brandished a pistol.

The principal was treated at home due to security considerations and three police personnel deployed outside.

''The attack took place as I did not see eye-to-eye with the workers in certain matters regarding the election,'' Dr Chaurasia said. Meanwhile, the National Students' Union of India demanded stern action against the accused.

The incident refreshed chilling memories of the alleged murder of Prof Harbhajan Singh Sabharwal at Ujjain's Madhav College last year following postponement of a students' union poll. In the case also, ABVP workers were named as accused.

UNI