SFI, ABVP activists clash at HPU

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 21

Panic gripped the Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) today when an altercation between two students resulted in a group clash and students allegedly brandished sharp-edged weapons outside the law department.

ABVP leader Akash Negi alleged that SFI activists misbehaved with a teacher and when opposed by some ST students affiliated with the ABVP, they attacked them with sharp-edged weapons. Meanwhile, SFI campus president Rocky maintained that SFI students were addressing a classroom to inform students about a street play when they were attacked by ABVP activists. Both student unions claimed that seven-eight students were injured in the incident.

Cross-FIRs have been registered and five students have been booked under Sections 147, 149, 341, 323, 504 and 506 of the IPC, said DSP Kamal Verma. He said two students suffered injuries on head and hand. However, the medical report suggested that those were simple injuries and not injuries inflicted by sharp-edged weapons.

HPU Vice-Chancellor Prof Sikandar Kumar said indiscipline would not be tolerated and the DSP had been asked to take strict action against the students who vitiated the atmosphere of the university.