Odisha CM condemns attack on JNU students

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today condemned the attack on students and teachers at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi.

Expressing shock over the incident, Patnaik said violence has no space in democracy and such attacks on students must be condemned unequivocally. The CM appealed law enforcement agencies to take swift action to apprehend the culprits.

Patnaik also wished for speedy recovery of the injured students.

Shocked to know about the violent #JNUattack. Violence has no space in democracy and such attacks on students must be condemned unequivocally. Appeal law enforcement agencies to take swift action to apprehend the culprits and wish the injured students a speedy recovery.

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) January 6, 2020

Unprecedented violence was seen in the Jawaharlal Nehru University on Sunday as several masked individuals, both male and female, thrashed students, including girls, and teachers inside the campus with wooden and metal rods, injuring many. At least 20 students were admitted to the AIIMS with severe injuries following the evening clash.

Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) Vice President Saket Moon accused the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad of leading the attack, which was bolstered by outsiders. On the other hand, the ABVP blamed Left-affiliated students for earlier attack on its activists that had left several injured.

According to intelligence reports and students, the genesis of the clashes began in the confrontation between students seeking to stall the semester registration process as part of their agitation against the hostel fees hike and groups opposing them. Members of the earlier group were allegedly behind the disruption of the varsity’s Wifi network late on Friday.

(with IANS inputs)