How No Nonsense Action By UP Police Shut Down Violent Anti-CAB Protests At Aligarh Muslim University

Soon after the passage of Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in the Rajya Sabha, violent protests broke out in various parts of the country like West Bengal and Delhi.

Subsequently, various universities in India like the Jamia Milia Islamia in Delhi became the epicentre of the violent protests which included stone pelting and chants like Allahu Akbar.

Various police personnel were injured in the protests which spilled on the streets of Delhi resulting in buses being burnt while passengers were still inside. The Jamia students later distanced themselves from these protest by claiming that it has been hijacked by local goons.

After Jamia, the protest then spilled over to another prominent education institution - Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

The University situated in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh, saw unruly scenes after a hoard of students gathered at the Babey Sir Syed Gate and began shouting slogans against law enforcement officials.

As per reports, the students then clashed with the police personnel present at the scene and even resorted to stone pelting. The students later also broke a police cordon.

Some students in the campus were heard chanting controversial slogans like, Hindutva Ki Kabra Khudegi...Savarkar Ki Kabra Khudegi...BJP Ki Kabra Khudegi, AMU Ki Chati par (The grave of Hindutva, Savarkar, BJP will be dug on AMU’s chest).

Action By UP Police

Seeing the situation worsening, AMU’s Registrar Abdul Hamid informed media persons that the university authorities requested the police to take action to bring the situation under control.

Hamid also confirmed that some boys and “anti-social elements” had pelted stones which resulted in a tense campus environment.

The UP Police then swung into action. As informed by their official handle, a police force including senior officers till DIG level rushed to the spot and arrested 10-15 trouble makers.

The incident is also said to have resulted in an injury to DIG Preetinder Singh and various police personnel. The police authorities then entered the AMU campus and began an intense crackdown on unruly elements.

The cops fired tear-gas shell and resorted to baton charge to bring the situation under control. The cops also reportedly entered the University hostels to evict its residents. The police officials have claimed that various former University students were illegally living in the hostels and whipping up trouble.

This intense action by the UP Police resulted in the situation getting under control. While speaking to the media, ADG Zone (Agra) informed that they have succeeded in taking full control of the situation and would take appropriate action as and when required.

To prevent any subsequent campus flareup, the AMU administration has announced a winter break till 5 January, following which examinations would be held in the institution.

UP Police DGP O P Singh has informed that the University would be evacuated today (16 December) and all students would be sent home. This is expected to ensure that no more trouble takes place at the University in the near future.

Contrast With West Bengal

Incidentally, this action by UP Police is said to be in a stark contrast with the West Bengal Police’s outlook, with the latter being accused of failing to control and taking adequate action against the violent mobs which have wrecked havoc in parts of the state.

The state government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been accused of inaction against rioters and failure to prevent substantial damage to pubic and private property. Allegations have also been made about it being a stage managed rampage which had the blessing of the Trinamool dispensation.

It was reported that after a protest call by various Mosques in the state, hoards of unruly mobs descended on the streets and especially targeted railway properties including station and trains.

Various videos have gone viral which depict burning coaches and mobs pelting stones on moving trains. The mobs also destroyed buses, toll plazas and railway cabins.