Jamia University Vandalism: Delhi Police File Second FIR
Delhi Police register a second FIR after protesters and locals vandalized Jamia Millia Islamia campus, destroying gates and CCTV systems.
The Delhi Police have registered a second First Information Report (FIR) at the Jamia Nagar Police Station following reports of widespread vandalism at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University. The legal action comes after a formal complaint was lodged by the university administration regarding the destruction of campus property.
Chaos on Campus: Gates Torn Down and CCTV Destroyed
The university campus was gripped by tension on Wednesday after a night of violence. According to an official statement, the unrest began late Tuesday night when protesting students, allegedly joined by local residents, breached the university's boundary walls.
The scale of the destruction was significant. The university administration reported that the mobs used heavy iron rods, hammers, and other tools to dismantle infrastructure. Key highlights of the damage include:
- The complete bringing down of Gate No. 4C.
- Widespread stone-pelting across the premises.
- The targeted destruction of the CCTV control room and cameras, including the disruption of their connections to blind the security network.
Masked Protesters and Threats to Faculty
The university noted that the violence was not limited to the gates. A group of masked protesters reportedly marched toward the Boys' Hostels in an attempt to mobilize more people to join the agitation. Videos of the chaos and the resulting damage were widely shared across social media platforms.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the administration revealed that women faculty members, provosts, and wardens were threatened when they attempted to reason with female protesters during the unrest.
Dialogue vs. Violence
The university administration expressed deep concern over the timing of the attack. They pointed out a "stark contradiction" between the violent acts and the ongoing efforts to resolve the issues through communication. On the very evening the violence broke out, the university had attempted its seventh round of dialogue with protesting students and committee members.
Security Tightened and Classes Moved Online
The tension had been building for over a week, prompting the university to suspend physical classes and shift to an online mode on October 24 to ensure safety.
Currently, the Delhi Police and campus security personnel have been deployed in strength to prevent any further flare-ups, especially in light of upcoming high-profile political visits to the area. While the FIR has been registered, the individuals responsible have been named as "unidentified" as investigations continue.