Two days before AMU reopens, VC demands security

AGRA: Two days before the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) reopens, vice-chancellor Tariq Mansoor has written an “urgent” letter to the district police chief expressing apprehensions of threat to his life by “anti-social and lumpen elements”, and demanded appropriate security for himself.
In the letter, the VC wrote, “The university is opening on January 13 and these anti-social and lumpen elements may try to create law and order issues and may also attempt to harm me and my family members and may also instigate others by labelling me as member of RSS/BJP and supporter of CAA.”
“If these lumpen elements are not controlled and if any untoward incident occur, it will have a cascading and spiralling effect across the nation because AMU is a sensitive national institution,” the VC wrote.
Confirming that he has received the letter, DIG Akash Kulhary said that extra security will be provided to the AMU VC and registrar.
“Internal security audit is also being conducted by us to assess what kind of security mechanism is required inside the campus to strengthen their security standards,” said the DIG.
Kulhary said that force will be deployed at the VC’s lodge, administrative block and registrar’s office on the opening of the university.
Meanwhile, AMU students issued a statement, saying that the VC’s claim of security threat is “misplaced and ridiculous”. The students said that the VC has “no threat from AMU students, who have been peacefully protesting against CAA-NRC from December 8 and will continue with non-violent protests”.
Spokesperson of the varsity, Shafey Kidwai said that the VC did not say anything about students. He has categorically mentioned anti-social elements.
Vice-chancellor Prof Mansoor said that the university administration will meet senior students along with provosts and senior teachers to redress all their grievances.