OU students mulling protests taken into preventive custody

Police today foiled plans of a group of students, associated with Left wing organisations, to disrupt the inaugural function of the Osmania University's centenary celebrations here, which was attended by President Pranab Mukherjee.
A senior police official said that around 20 students were taken into preventive custody from different parts of the campus.
"20 students of Left-wing organisations were taken into custody before they could hold any protests to disrupt the event," Deputy Commissioner of Police V Satyanarayana told PTI.
He said these students were planning protests like raising slogans against government for their various demands.
As part of security arrangements, nearly 2,500 police personnel were deployed on the campus.

Police and the OU authorities had been persuading the members of different students' organisations to help them in smooth conduct of the programme.

The OU had appealed to the students and other stake-holders to cooperate with the university administration for the smooth conduct of the celebrations.
"Any attempt to disrupt the programmes would be viewed seriously and would result in appropriate disciplinary action against the concerned including rustication, if necessary," the registrar of Osmania University said.
A group of students had been demanding constitution of executive Council, institution of fellowships for PG and PhD students, filling up various vacancies in the varsity and conducting student council elections.