Student politics turns violent

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 17

In what appears to be the first major clash in the run-up to the student council elections of Panjab University and its affiliated colleges, two students, including one belonging to the NSUI, were injured in an attack allegedly by ABVP members at the Sector 27/28/29/30 light point today.

The victims, Rajat, a resident of Sector 29, and an NSUI member, who was hit on his leg, were taken to the GMCH, Sector 32, where Rajat got four stitches on his head. Both of them were discharged after treatment. 

The incident occurred when Rajat, along with his friend Sumit, in-charge of the NSUI unit of Khalsa College, Sector 26, and three others, was returning from the college in a Ciaz car. On the way to SD College in Sector 32, they were chased by youths in Fortuner and Scorpio vehicles.

After intercepting them at the light point, the youths, allegedly belonging to the ABVP, asked those in the Ciaz to come out. When they refused to do so, the youths stared attacking the car with swords and sticks. The car occupants sustained minor injuries from broken glass pieces. 

The assailants then hit Rajat and another youth before speeding away. They also allegedly brandished a pistol at them. Rajat said he had done BA from Khasla College and was returning from the college after enquiring about MA (Economics). He alleged that his friends were members of the NSUI and were attacked the youths belonging to the ABVP.

“They wanted to attack Sumit, but Rajat came in their reach. We have got an FIR registered against ABVP members and have named a few persons,” said an NSUI leader. The incident is believed to have been triggered by a fight in the college a few days ago. Though the two sides had reached a compromise, the incident took an ugly turn today.

The NSUI leader claimed that Rattan Lobana, president of the ABVP at SD College, Sector  32, and his associate Inder Saini were behind the attack. However, the duo refuted the allegation.

The SHO of the Sector 26 police station said they were trying to trace the accused.

The complaint

A case under Sections 147, 148, 149, 323, 341, 506 and 34 of the IPC and 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been registered on a complaint of Sumit, a resident of Phase IX, Mohali. The complainant said a Scorpio (PB 65 AK 6511) and a Fortuner (CH 01 AK 0013) came from the rear side and intercepted the Ciaz car. Parminder Singh, who was carrying a pistol, Jatinder and Gurjot Sandhu, along with others, came out of their vehicles and smashed the windows of the car, injuring two occupants. They then fled from the spot.