Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

Students’ union poll: Tight vigil at AMU as stalemate continues

NO HOPE Several rounds of talks between AMU VC and AMUSU candidates fails

- PRADEEP SAXENA

ALIGARH: The dharna of the agitated Aligarh Muslim University students at the VC lodge continued on the third day on Friday, after several rounds of talks between AMU vice chancellor lt gen Zameeruddi­n Shah and AMUSU candidates failed. The agitated students and student leaders performed Friday prayers too on the dharna site, joined by hundreds of students.

The students are up against the decision of the AMU administra­tion to cancel AMUSU elections mid way. Girl students of Abdullah College have also joined the protest. Apprehendi­ng trouble, the district administra­tion has deployed PAC, RAF and civil police on the campus to maintain law and order .SSP Rajesh Pande made several rounds of the campus to assess the situation. Aligarh DM Rajmani Yadav also talked to the vice chancellor and took stock of the situation.

Meanwhile, the students have demanded withdrawal of police from the campus and made it clear that they are prepared for a long term battle. Earlier, the students had some hopes from the Executive Council ( EC ) meeting but the EC made it clear that elections would be held only after outside elements and rusticated students were ousted from the campus. However, the students are demanding that elections should be held on September 26. On Thursday night, the vice chancellor held a meeting with the candidates on gate number -2 of VC lodge which went on till 11.00 pm . The AMU administra­tion demanded at least 28 days or maximum six months for holding fresh elections but the student leaders and candidates rejected this. Later, the university administra­tion constitute­d a 10- member committee under Prof. Amanullah Khan, dean medical faculty, to hold talks with student leaders and determine the date for elections. OUTSIDERS BEING OUSTED

The AMU administra­tion is trying to oust outsiders and rusticated students from the campus so that they do not take active part in elections. The AMU administra­tion has entrusted the responsibi­lity of ousting these students to the student leaders themselves, though the vice chancellor is also in contact with the district administra­tion. ‘NO PRESSURE BEHIND STUDENT’S EXPULSION’

AMU authoritie­s on Friday made it clear there was no “external pressure” on them or “ulterior motive” behind expelling a Kashmiri student who had posted “objectiona­ble” comments on Facebook over the terror attack on the army base in Uri.

 ?? HT ?? CO Rajeev Kumar talking to AMUSU candidates on Friday.
HT CO Rajeev Kumar talking to AMUSU candidates on Friday.

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