Jamia students strike after firing

New Delhi, Jan. 31: Students of Jamia Millia Islamia on Friday gathered outside the gate of the varsity to stage a peaceful protest against the amended Citizenship Act, a day after a man fired a pistol at a group of agitators there, injuring a student. The students carried posters that read “Stop Hate Speech, Safety really?, What’s in the

name and Tamache Pe Disco, Jamia se Khisko.”

Condemning the attack on students, the protesters said they were shocked when they saw the man emerge from the crowd and open fire in full public view amidst heavy police presence.

A student taking part in the protest, who did not wished to be identified, said, “When I got to know about firing, I rushed to the venue along with my friends to check. All we wanted was a peaceful protest. We have been protesting here for nearly two months. I definitely feel police could have acted much promptly.” Thousands of people and police personnel faced off against each other near the varsity on Thursday after a man fired a pistol at a group of antiCitizenship Amendment Act protesters.

As night fell, massive protests broke out with agitated students and others gathering near the university, breaking barricades and clashing with police personnel.

The protests ended around 9 pm after police released four detained demonstrators, according to university and police officials.

Another student taking

part in the peaceful protest on Friday said, “We have been protesting peacefully for the last two months. On Thursday, we were heading for a peaceful march towards Rajghat. But police had already put up barricades at several intersections.” Students said they will not allow political parties to take advantage of the protests and make it their playground for the polls.