FIR against six students for disrupting PU event

Patna: An FIR has been registered at Pirbahore police station against six students, including Patna University Students’ Union (PUSU) president Shantanu Shekhar, for disrupting a programme attended by CM Nitish Kumar at the varsity on March 30.

The complaint, filed by block panchayati raj officer Virendra Chaudhary, accuses the students of obstructing govt work, causing a disturbance and violating law and order.

The incident occurred during the inauguration of new buildings at the university. Students, allegedly upset about not being invited and the VC’s name missing from the foundation stone, protested and clashed with police. Some police personnel were also injured in the incident.

According to the complaint, Chaudhary was assigned duty at the inauguration ceremony of new buildings on March 30. In the meantime, about 15-20 students arrived near the event venue before the CM’s arrival and started creating a ruckus. The students alleged that they were not invited to the programme and that the VC’s name was not mentioned on the foundation stone. Within a short while, more students gathered there, and a crowd of 30-35 students assembled at the spot.

Police force and the magistrate tried to persuade the students, but they refused to listen. The students started raising slogans, disrupting the programme and began pushing and shoving.

Pirbahore SHO Mohd Sajjad said, “Videography of the incident was done, based on which some students have been identified. These include PUSU president among several other students.”

The complaint also stated that PU VC Ajay Kumar was present at the spot, but he neither stopped the students nor made any attempt to reason with them.

Meanwhile, deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha and education minister Sunil Kumar also tried to talk with the students, but they refused to listen. Patna DM Thiyagrajan SM also tried to persuade them. The students also surrounded Sinha and the education minister.

Some students were also seen raising slogans in support of Nitish Kumar.

“An FIR has been registered against six named and 30-35 unidentified persons. Raids are ongoing to nab named accused and identify others,” the SHO added.