JNU blockade called off but campus tense

NEW DELHI: Students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) called off a blockade of the vice-chancellor and top officials inside a building on Thursday after 20 hours over a student’s disappearance five days ago.

They dispersed after Union home minister Rajnath Singh asked Delhi police to set up a special team in addition to the 10 squads already searching for missing biotechnology student Najeeb Ahmed in the national capital and neighbouring states.

“Spoke to CP Delhi regarding the incident of JNU student gone missing. I have instructed him to constitute a special team to look out for him,” Singh tweeted.

Ahmed disappeared after an alleged altercation with members of the RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).

“We have some leads and these are being explored to ensure a safe rescue. Details cannot be shared now,” additional DCP (South) Nupur Prasad said.

A cash reward of Rs 50,000 has been announced for information about him.

Vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar, who was detained allegedly without food and water along with his colleagues, termed the blockade illegal confinement and warned that the “law will takes its course” if officials are not allowed to work.