Violence erupts in Allahabad University campus, students ‘torch’ vehicles

Allahabad: Following the arrests of four students of Allahabad University campus for allegedly disrupting a meeting and violating prohibitory orders; massive violence rocked the campus.   As per  details given by SSP Shalabh Mathur to a news agency, “The violence was ignited by a group of students, which was led by office holders of the students’ union, who flocked the University’s guest house, disrupting the executive council meeting and started shouting slogans demanding action against ‘financial irregularities’ in the institute”. ABP News image Students also allegedly torched a bus parked near a hostel and set fire to a pile of old tyres on one of the roads, bringing traffic to a standstill. Prohibitory orders had been clamped in the area a few days back in view of unrest caused by a drive to evict unlawful occupants from university hostels following an order of the Allahabad High Court. Image courtesy: ABP News image "Upon receiving information that a large number of students had gathered at the guest house without permission, a police party rushed to the spot. Most of the agitators ran away but four of them were arrested," the SSP said. The students resented the arrests and despite efforts to explain that the same were made on account of violation of prohibitory orders, some of them turned violent and allegedly hurled stones at the police personnel, damaging a number of vehicles parked nearby and smashing window panes, Mathur said. The agitators were chased away with the help of the Rapid Action Force and the Provincial Armed Constabulary, the officer said. "The situation is now under control," he said.