New Delhi: Delhi Police have registered a second FIR against unidentified persons in connection with alleged vandalism at Jamia Millia Islamia University, amid ongoing student protests demanding the restoration of the Jamia Millia Islamia Students' Union (JMISU), officials said on Thursday.
The FIR was registered at Jamia Nagar Police Station following a complaint by the university administration. Police said two FIRs had so far been registered in connection with two separate incidents at the university.
Tension gripped the campus on Wednesday following incidents of vandalism, stone-pelting and damage to university infrastructure late Tuesday night, according to a statement issued by the administration.
The university said its proctorial team and faculty members rushed to the campus after receiving reports of a breach of boundary walls. They allegedly found groups of protesting students, joined by locals, dismantling university gates, bringing down Gate No. 4C and pelting stones at the premises.
According to the administration, the protesters also damaged the CCTV control room and cameras and disrupted their connections. A group of masked protesters allegedly reached the boys' hostels in an attempt to mobilise additional support. Videos of the damage were also circulated on social media.
The university said heavy iron rods, hammers and other tools were used to damage infrastructure, compromising campus security. It also alleged that women faculty members, wardens and provosts were threatened when they attempted to reason with female protesters.
The administration condemned the violence, pointing to the contrast between the vandalism and its ongoing efforts to engage with the protesting students. It said the incidents began shortly after another round of dialogue with committee members and teachers on Wednesday evening.
The protest demanding restoration of the students' union entered its 18th day on Thursday. Students have continued their agitation despite the university's decision to hold elections within 15 days of approval of the union's constitution.
Citing concerns over the situation on campus and student safety, the university extended online classes until November 24 and shifted odd-semester examinations to online mode. It had earlier ordered online classes until November 8.
Physical classes had been suspended on October 24 amid escalating tensions, with police and campus security personnel deployed to prevent further unrest.
