Police remove students from HAU protest site after midnight scuffle

Police forcibly removed a group of students protesting at the gate of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) late on Thursday night after a scuffle broke out between the two sides.

The confrontation began around 9 pm when students tried to install coolers at the dharna site, where five students have been on hunger strike in support of their demands. Police objected, saying the protesters were attempting to make permanent arrangements. The objection provoked the students, leading to heated exchanges.

Later, when police attempted to clear the site, a scuffle ensued. Students alleged that police manhandled them, pushed some protesters, and even attacked them while they were having dinner. They claimed that two students — Yogesh Rana and Sunil — were injured in the clash. Eventually, all students were removed from the site around 2 am.

The protesters had resumed their agitation on August 20, demanding withdrawal of FIRs registered against them and the formation of an independent committee to probe the July 1 incident, in line with an earlier agreement with the administration.

Local Congress leaders and activists, including Anil Mann, Vikram Mittal, Harshdeep Gill and Shamsher Nambardar, reached the spot late at night and condemned the use of police force. They accused the government of trying to suppress students’ voices.

The agitation originally began on June 10 against the reduction of scholarships, when a clash with university personnel left several students injured.

A Hisar police spokesperson, however, defended the action, stating: “Students were only permitted to hold a protest for a few hours but tried to set up tents and coolers, blocking the university gate and causing inconvenience to the public. The police removed these arrangements.”

The spokesperson added that two demands of the students remain unresolved — withdrawal of FIRs and setting up of an independent committee. Authorities have assured progress on both. An official letter signed by the Deputy Commissioner and SP confirms that a committee will be formed under the Hisar Divisional Commissioner, with a meeting scheduled for August 26. University officials will attend, and two names suggested by students — Dr Samunder and Dr Bhim Singh Dahiya — are under consideration for inclusion.