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Investigators link fresh student clashes at HPU to March 11 assault; lack of security blamed

A source said Akshay Thakur, who was recently appointed HPU Campus president of ABVP, was one of the prime suspects in the March 11 attack.

Thursday’s violence between members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) was the fourth such incident this year for which FIRs have been registered at Boileauganj Police Station. (File Photo)

Two days after the members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) sustained injuries following a clash at the Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), investigators have linked the latest incidents of campus violence to the March 11 attack, where ABVP allegedly assaulted SFI volunteers, leaving six of its members critically wounded.

The police said that the lack of adequate security personnel on the campus is another major factor behind the rising frequency of such violent incidents on the campus located at Summer Hill in Shimla.

According to ABVP, unidentified SFI members allegedly attacked ABVP workers near the entrance of HPU around 9.10 am on Thursday.

A source said Akshay Thakur, who was recently appointed Campus president of ABVP, was one of the prime suspects in the March 11 attack. He was also the complainant in the FIR lodged on Thursday against unidentified SFI members.

The source added that Thakur’s recent appointment as ABVP Campus president had fueled anger among SFI leaders who were determined to avenge the attack.

The police said that the lack of adequate security personnel on the campus is another major factor behind the rising frequency of such violent incidents on the campus located at Summer Hill in Shimla.

An HPU faculty member told The Indian Express, “In 2017, following a major outbreak of student violence, the then Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh ordered the deployment of a police reserve battalion of around two dozen personnel for round-the-clock duty on the campus. The battalion remained stationed at HPU until January 2024, but was later withdrawn when the state police department demanded reimbursement from the university for the deployment expenses. The HPU authorities expressed their inability to pay the amount, which ran into crores of rupees.”

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In the 1990s and 2000s, the HPU witnessed gruesome violence resulting in the deaths of student leaders such as National Students Union of India (NSUI) leader Nasir Khan in 1987 and ABVP worker Kuldeep Dhatwalia in 1995.

Student elections have been banned in Himachal Pradesh since 2014.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Shimla, Shakti Singh said the police have arrested all he accused students in all the cases registered this year. Many were later released on bail. “In most cases, the involvement of HPU students has been established, while the role of outsiders is minimal,” he added.

Absence of trained security guards, police personnel cause of concern

The absence of trained security guards and police personnel is also a contributory factor in the sudden spike in violence, he pointed out.

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Sources said that there are a handful of ex-servicemen hired by the HPU from an outsourced agency who work as security guards, most of whom are not trained to control mobs and how to act when violence erupts.

Gauri Dutt Sharma, Chief Security Officer, HPU, said, “We have proposed the permanent deployment of police personnel on the campus through the Vice-Chancellor’s office. CCTV cameras have been installed at all key locations in view of the repeated violent clashes between student unions”. The SFI and ABVP dominate student politics at HPU, while the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the Congress’s student wing, has a relatively minor presence on the campus.

SFI is affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), while ABVP is the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and enjoys the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

An SFI leader, requesting anonymity, said, “Yesterday’s violence could also be linked to an earlier clash between SFI and ABVP workers at Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district, where ABVP members thrashed one of our activists.”

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A timeline of HPU student violence:

March 11: Two dozen ABVP workers attacked SFI volunteers with sharp-edged weapons at Potterhill Ground, leaving six critically injured

May 9: Three ABVP workers, including two women students, engaged in verbal arguments with SFI workers. Later in the evening, workers clashed, and two people were injured.

July 26: Students clashed near Ambedkar Bhawan; preventive action was taken

Sept 18: ABVP and SFI members attacked each other, including women students, were involved; cross FIRs were registered.

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October 9: SFI workers attacked ABVP members at the HPU entrance gate.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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