Ludhiana, September 23
Bowing to public pressure, the Ludhiana police today cancelled the FIR registered against about 200 students, including girls, of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University. The police also apologised to the students for “whatever happened” on September 21 at Punjab Agricultural University.
This followed a meeting between representatives of protesting students and the Senior Superintendent of Police, Ludhiana, Mr A.S. Rai. The students marched to the SSP’s office in procession. The SSP was asked to come out of his office and talk to the students directly. He announced that the FIR had been cancelled. Besides, he said, the issue of excesses would also be thoroughly investigated. Mr Rai later told The Tribune that the role of some police officials who “went beyond their brief” would also be probed, and if found guilty, they would be punished.
The FIR was reportedly cancelled following a serious notice taken of the issue by the National Commission for Women and the Punjab Human Rights Commission, which would take up the case next week.
The students appeared to be satisfied with the police apology and the cancellation of the FIR. They said they had called off the strike against the police excesses following the meeting with the SSP. However, they added, the strike in support of their other demands would continue.
Dr Devinder Singh Ghuman, a spokesman for the striking veterinary doctors, said their dharna in support of various other demands would continue.
