Mayawati adamant on students union polls ban

Lucknow, Sep 9 (UNI) In the backdrop of large scale protests owing to ban on students union polls, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, today asserted that ''education temples'' would not be allowed to become the political ''akhara'' (ring) of criminals and mafias at any cost.

''Both colleges and universities are the temples of higher education. The students union elections have been banned to maintain the sanctity of these institutions,'' the Chief Minister maintained.

Besides, the ban has been imposed to improve the education curriculum and environment in Uttar Pradesh. The Bahujan Samaj Party government is committed to regularising the academic session of the varsities and colleges, the BSP leader observed.

She maintained these elections create severe law and order problem, besides this the educational activities of the students get affected.

Mayawati further directed the officials to stringently deal with the present violence due to the ban imposed on the union polls.

''My regime is committed to improving the law and order situation in the state. The government would not allow the goons and mafias to play with peace and security of the common man,'' she underlined.

The Chif Minister warned that strict action would be taken against those causing hurdles in the state government's efforts to create a healthy atmosphere in the state colleges and universities.

Anyone found vandalising public property would be strictly dealt with, she warned.

On September 7, Mawayati had ordered a ban on holding students union polls in the state universities and colleges with immediate effect.

The decision witnessed unrest amongst the student community.

Police had to use force in several parts of the state to disperse unruly mobs which went on a rampage to protest the ban.

While several buses and other public property was damaged in Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Allahabad and other places, in rage the students also burnt Mayawati's effigy.

During her previous regime in 2002, she had banned students union elections, but the decision was reversed by the then Chief Minister MulayamSingh Yadav in September 2003.

UNI