Suspensions to continue until campus clash probe ends: EFLU | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: A day after suspending 14 students belonging to the ABVP and NSUI over the last week’s campus clash, the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) on Friday said the suspension would continue until an inquiry into the matter is completed. The university suspended seven students each from the NSUI and the ABVP. The suspended students include 10 UG students, one PG student and three PhD scholars.An EFLU official said the university would constitute an inquiry commission headed by a senior professor to examine the incident and the allegations raised by both student groups. “The students were suspended and there has been no decision to revoke the action. An inquiry commission headed by a senior professor will be constituted. Till the inquiry is pending, they will remain suspended, as the violence has to be examined from both sides,” the official added.However, both the NSUI and ABVP demanded that the suspensions of their members be revoked. The NSUI alleged that ABVP members had made casteist remarks against one of its members and assaulted the EFLU students’ union vice-president during a protest near the MBC Hostel on Aug 13.“The students had informed the proctor about the alleged assault before approaching the police station for legal action. Before this, the ABVP members had gathered inside Basheer Hostel around 4 am and attacked NSUI students with sticks. Two of its members were severely injured, while women NSUI members who reached the location were allegedly abused. Seven students were injured in the clash, including four NSUI members who suffered head injuries. They have been discharged from the hospital now and are now recovering,” said Rishit Nayak of the NSUI.However, the ABVP denied the allegations. Priyank Shekhar, ABVP vice-president at EFLU, said that the members were “peacefully protesting” outside the Mahlaq Bai Chanda Hostel (MBCH) over the alleged mistreatment of two female students who had raised concerns about their hostel room arrangements. “We had also demanded accountability from the hostel administration, better basic facilities such as clean washrooms and safe drinking water, and the resignation of MBCH provost Dr Priyadarshini. While the protest was underway, we received information that ABVP students were being attacked inside Basheer Men’s Hostel. Following this, our members went there to help them, but were beaten instead,” he added.In a separate statement, the EFLU students’ union said the administration was responsible for protecting every student irrespective of political affiliation. It alleged that the deputy proctor, who is also the warden of Basheer Hostel, where the clash took place, instructed police officials not to register an FIR despite the union members approaching the police station.“We demand that the administration hold those responsible for the violence accountable through time-bound action and ensure that students could express their views and organise freely without fear of violence.,” said Haleemath Saddiya, a union member. Based on complaints from both sides, the OU police registered cases against members of NSUI and ABVP under under BNS Sections 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt),127(2) (wrongful confinement),333 (house-trespass),351(3) (Aggravated criminal intimidation) and 191(3)(rioting).“Seven ABVP members were arrested and sent to judicial custody before being granted bail, while seven NSUI members were arrested and granted station bail later. We are investigating further, “ said an officer.