12 Osmania varsity students nabbed for holding 'beef festival'

Twelve students of Osmania University were arrested on Friday for allegedly holding a "beef festival" in violation of court orders, police said.

Police took into custody those students who had consumed beef in theuniversity hostel on Thursday and posted pictures on social networking sites.

The students had claimed that they succeeded in holding the beef festival despite the police crackdown.

Police on Thursday thwarted attempts by 24 leftist and Dalit groups to hold the beef festival on the campus by sealing all entrances and detaining scores of students and activists.

Dozens of workers of right-wing Hindu organisations were also arrested as they had announced plans to hold pork festival and cow worship programme to counter the beef festival.

The university and police had denied permission for any programme. A city civil court had also refused to give permission.

Meanwhile, police on Friday booked a case against BJP legislator Raja Singh for allegedly assaulting policemen when he was being arrested. A case under sections 353 and 506 of Indian Penal Code was registered at Bolarum police station.

Raja Singh was arrested on Thursday when he was planning to reach the university campus to stop beef festival and hold cow worship.