Protest in Hyderabad varsity turns violent

Clashes broke out between protesting students and police on University of Hyderabad campus on Tuesday evening.

A few students and policemen were injured in the clashes outside the bungalow of Vice Chancellor P. Appa Rao, where the students had been protesting since morning as he resumed duties after nearly a two-month-long leave.

Violence broke out as police used force to disperse the students. Television visuals show policemen and women dragging the students, some by their hair, thrashing them and beating them up with batons.

One policeman was also injured when students pelted stones.

Police bundled out many students out of the campus, triggering strong protest by teaching and non-teaching staff members. Police also arrested few students and faculty members.

Additional forces including personnel of paramilitary Rapid Action Force (RAF) rushed to the campus.

Security was further tightened amid reports that Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Kanahiya Kumar will be visiting the campus to pay tributes to Rohith Vemula, the Dalit research scholar who committed suicide in January this year.

A section of students alleged that Appa Rao was sent back to prevent Kanahiya Kumar's visit to the university.