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Journalism of Courage
The Aligarh Muslim University was closed indefinitely and exams postponed on Saturday,following a clash between two groups of students Friday night. Nine students were injured two suffered gunshot wounds in the clash at the Proctors office on the campus.
The university asked the students to vacate the hostels within 48 hours.
University sources said trouble began outside the campus when two groups of students,one belonging to Bihar and the other from Azamgarh,clashed and exchanged fire. Around 11 pm,the students from Bihar went to the Proctors office to lodge a complaint. The other group followed,leading to another clash.
District Magistrate Anil Kumar and SSP Satyendra Vir Singh rushed to the campus with police force.
AMU spokesperson Rahat Abrar said,The students had clashed on some personal dispute. The culprits will be suspended and an FIR would be lodged after their identification.
However,sources said that the fight was the fallout of an incident that took place on Thursday,when a student attacked the Deputy Controller of Examinations and Admissions S M Rizwan. It is a long-standing issue. One of the top-ranking officials of the University wants the Controller of Examinations and Admissions removed, said a teacher.
Sources said while one students group wanted removal of Controller of Examinations Pervez Mustajab,the other demanded the resignation of Finance Officer Yasmin Jalal Beg and Proctor Mujahid Beg.
In a statement,Vice-Chancellor P K Abdul Azis said the university would reopen soon and the examinations rescheduled. He said the decision of close the university was taken to maintain peace on campus.
The AMU Students Union criticised the closure of the campus. Union president Abu Affan Farooquee said,The closure will affect the exam schedule and delay the results. In October 2009,the university was closed following unrest after the killing of a student outside the campus.
With ENS,New Delhi
