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Parveen Arora
Tribune News Service
Karnal, April 12
The Haryana Police on Friday used batons and tear gas to disperse a group of students who allegedly indulged in stone-pelting to protest the death of a student after coming under the wheels of a state-run bus.
The police said the students were protesting the death of Ankit (20), a student of an Industrial Training Institute (ITI), who came under the wheels of a bus at ITI Chowk on National Highway 44 here on Thursday when he was trying to board it.
Students charged that state transport bus drivers do not stop buses at designated stops, forcing them to chase buses. They claimed Ankit was hit by the bus, but the driver did not immediately bring the vehicle to a halt, as a result of which the student was crushed to death.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Surinder Singh Bhoria confirmed injuries to 26 policemen and seven students. A mediaperson was also injured. The traffic was diverted from other routes of the NH-44.
A case has been registered against 104 students under Sections 148, 149, 341, 332 and 353 of the IPC and the National Highway Act. They have been taken in custody.
It all started around 9 am when students blocked the NH-44. They, however, lifted the blockade after 15 minutes on the assurance from the authorities that buses would halt at designated stops.
But after sometime, scores of students started pelting the police with stones. Some of them allegedly vandalised an SBI ATM kiosk and a tent shop. Shopkeepers downed shutters in fear.
In retaliation, the police fired into the air and tear gas to disperse the students. The police entered the ITI premises and resorted to lathicharge to bring students out. They also allegedly beat up the Principal as well staff members, and brought them out. Later, the Principal and teachers were released.
Teachers and the ITI officers’ welfare association condemned the “brutal action” by the police on the ITI premises. They alleged the police had taken discriminatory action against them. They also alleged the police had used third degree on students and staff members.
Baldev Singh, ITI Principal, said: “The police forcibly entered my office, snatched my mobile phone and took the hard disk of the DVR in custody. The brutality of the police has downgraded the dignity of the prestigious institute as well as staff members.”
“We demand action against police personnel, who thrashed students and staff members,” said Bhupinder Pal Singh, president of the association.
After the incident, ITI officials and teachers approached Deputy Commissioner Vinay Partap Singh, who later ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter. “The SDM will inquire into the reasons behind the incident and suggest measures so that such accidents can be avoided,” the DC said.
The SP defended the police for firing into the air. “Students had forced the police to resort to lathicharge and fire into the air,” he added.
ATM kiosk vandalised
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