Kolkata, 20 August 20 (H.S.): Tension continued to prevail at Jadavpur University on Thursday, a day after clashes broke out between members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and Left-affiliated student organisations on Wednesday night. With both sides holding separate protests, the situation remained tense inside and around the university campus. Police deployed a large contingent of personnel along with central forces as a precautionary measure.

Following Wednesday night’s clash, an FIR was lodged at Jadavpur Police Station in the presence of South Kolkata MLA Sharvari Mukherjee. Based on a complaint filed by third-year BE student Aritra Sarkar, a case was registered against 11 people associated with Left organisations under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Police entered the university campus after the Assistant Vice-Chancellor sought police assistance and removed outsiders from the premises. Subsequently, both sides called separate protest programmes on Thursday morning.

Members of the Democratic Students’ Federation (DSF) took out a march from the 8B bus stand area, while the ABVP began its march from Gariahat-Golpark. Anticipating a confrontation, police personnel and central forces were deployed in large numbers in the area.

Police stopped the SFI procession before it could reach the main road leading towards the university. Meanwhile, the ABVP procession moved from Golpark towards Jadavpur Police Station. Protesters allegedly breached police barricades and attempted to move towards Gate No. 4 of the university, further escalating tensions.

In the afternoon, protesters and police were involved in a scuffle, during which barricades were reportedly broken. The demonstrations disrupted traffic, with a school bus getting caught amid the protest. Some protesters also sat on the road as part of their demonstration.

The university administration shut all gates of the campus in view of the situation. Despite this, bottles and stones were reportedly thrown from outside Gate No. 4. Part of an iron structure installed in front of the gate was also damaged. The incident triggered resentment among teachers and students, with teachers stating that damage to university property in the name of student protests was unacceptable.

The dispute on Wednesday night had started over a general body meeting of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Students’ Union. Several students were injured in the clashes between the two sides. MLA Sharvari Mukherjee had visited a hospital late Wednesday night to meet injured students.

The DSF alleged that its general body meeting was underway on the campus on Wednesday evening when ABVP president Nikhil Das and two others arrived and allegedly disrupted the meeting before engaging in a physical altercation. The situation subsequently escalated.

The ABVP, however, alleged that members associated with the SFI and DSO-DSF had launched a planned attack under the pretext of the general body meeting. The organisation also alleged that its university president Nikhil Das was attacked. Das was subsequently treated at a hospital. University sources said several students from both sides were receiving treatment for injuries.

Left student organisations alleged that some ABVP and NSF members had entered the campus along with outsiders. They claimed that Left-leaning students from the engineering, science and arts departments were chased and attempts were made to confine them inside Aravind Bhavan. They also levelled allegations of arson, stone-pelting and physical assault on the campus.

The Left organisations further alleged that ABVP supporters attempted to enter the university through the main gate as well as Gates No. 1 and 4. The ABVP rejected the allegations, maintaining that its demonstration outside the police station was peaceful. The organisation also denied allegations of attacking the campus or engaging in arson.

Meanwhile, SFI state secretary Debanjan Dey targeted the BJP, alleging that an attempt had been made to attack Jadavpur University. He claimed that the BJP was “afraid of the strength of student movements” and alleged that students had been attacked.

With tension continuing for the second consecutive day, police presence has been further strengthened on the university campus. Police are investigating the entire incident and proceeding with the probe on the basis of complaints lodged by both sides.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh