Aligarh Cops Smash Bikes After Protests At University

Aligarh:

Hours after a protest march by the students of Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act ended in a pitched battle with the police, clashes erupted at the Aligarh Muslim University this evening where students were agitating against the violent crackdown in the national capital. In disturbing visuals, cops are seen smashing bikes on streets in Aligarh, firing tear gas shells from the main gate of the campus after protests at the university.

Internet has been suspended in the city for 24 hours amid violence, said officials. 

The protesters and cops clashed near the main gate of the Aligarh Muslim University as policemen used tear gas and water cannons to try and disperse the crowd. Students were leaving the university campus to take out a procession in solidarity with the Jamia students when violence erupted.

Cops claimed they resorted to lathi-charge when students threw stones at them. The police reportedly went at least 100 metres inside the main gates of the university.

AMU Proctor Professor Afifullah Khan said some security personnel have been injured in the protests, news agency PTI reported. In a mobile clip, a senior office of the Rapid Action Force is seen injured as he urges colleagues to give him his helmet.

The university, which has been witnessing protests since the controversial Citizenship law cleared parliament earlier this week, has now been shut till January 5.  “The university is closed from today (15/12/2019) till 05/01/2019. This is being done due to disturbances created by some anti-social elements for last three days,” AMU Registrar Abdul Hamid said. 

Protests at the Aligarh university followed violent crackdown on students of Jamia Milia Islamia university in the national capital after a mob targeted the cops with stones and set vehicles on fire. The police retaliated with batons and teargas, and later detained around 100 students. As Jamia said they entered the campus without permission, the police said they did not need anyone’s permission to maintain law and order.