Parmesh S jain
The police resorted to lathi-charge at the Bangalore University campus here on Monday to disperse two protesting groups of students.
According to reports,members of the Bangalore University Post Graduation and Research Scholars Forum (BUPGRSF) were staging a protest against Principal District and Sessions Judge Mallikarjuna Gowda on Monday morning over the alleged removal of Dr B R Ambedkar’s portrait from the dais during the Republic Day celebrations in Raichur.
Meanwhile, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists reportedly came to the spot where BUPGRSF members were protesting, and started agitating over the ‘pathetic’ condition of university hostels and the ‘delay’ in distribution of grade cards to former students.
Eyewitnesses said that the police had to intervene and resort to the use of force after a scuffle started between the members of the two groups.
A group of PG students protesting for the last two days against the University administration Over not placing the potrait of Dr.Ambedkar on republic day celebration.
Meanwhile ABVP members came to protest at the same spot without any intimation or prior notice.The two protestors had a verbal dual leading to tense situation.
The administration called police who tried to pacify both the agitated group.In the melee the agitated group attacked police in Retaliation the police canned to disperse the mob.
Few students injured and have been treated at nearby hospitals.The university adminstration said that the ABVP members have not taken permission for protest.
The ABVP members condemning the latchicharge by police protested in front of the police station demanding action against the police brutality.
Senior officers as DCP West Dr Sanjeev M Patil ACPs,as, Nanjundegowda,Kodandarama with other officers rushed to spot.
Senior officer said,The abvp members barged into the campus where the students were already protesting and started shouting slogans against delay in evaluating and result announcement.
Though they have not taken permission for protest and sending tension between the two protestors the police were called in.
As the police rushed to spot and tried to pacify the group created commotion and manhandled policemen.
ACP sustained injuries on his hand.The police resorted minimal force’ to disperse the protestors while running away few protestors including a woman injured he added.
Vice Chancellor Venugopal KR said that the BUPGRSF was asked to submit a memorandum. He denied that the Forum was given any permission to protest on the campus.
The ABVP also did not inform us before arriving at the spot. We will ensure that students who received injuries get treatment but at the same time, action will be initiated against those who engaged in violence within the campus,” he added.
