Dozen injured in clash between students, police at AMU

The clash occurred when a large number of revellers celebrating the 195th birth anniversary of AMU founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan had gathered at the Circle adjoining the campus last night.

"Shortly before midnight, hundreds of students had collected at the university circle where some students, after attending the community dinners at different halls of residence, began celebrating by carrying out stunts on their motorcycles on the main road," Senior Superintendent of Police Piyush Mordia told reporters here.

Hundreds of cheering youth went on overdrive and some reportedly jeered at families who were returning from the campus after attending the community dinners, and harassed bystanders, he said.

This led to an altercation between the revellers and the police. When the situation worsened, the police lobbed tear gas shells and used mild force to disperse the mob, which had started pelting stones at them, he said.

At least a dozen people, including the university's proctor, were injured in the ensuing clash.

More than 65 motorcycles reportedly left behind by the revellers have been seized, Mordia said.

"We will be using these motorcycles to identify the members of the mob and will also be taking help of the video clips of the entire incident which is in our possession," he added.

An AMU spokesman said the institution's authorities had taken a "serious view" of the incident.

"The university authorities have taken a very serious view of last night's incidents and strong action will be taken against the guilty. We have received inputs that a number of anti-social elements from outside the campus had mingled with the students and played a mischievous role," a spokesman of the AMU told PTI.

A senior member of the teaching staff on the condition of anonymity said there were rumours circulating on campus since the past several days that some anti-social elements might provoke tension at the university.

Top university officials were also holding an emergency meeting to take stock of the situation.

Police and Rapid Action Force have strengthened their presence in the university campus to prevent any further incident.