Video of Jamia police brutality sparks row : The Tribune India

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Video of Jamia police brutality sparks row

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 16

The controversy over violence at Jamia Millia University on December 15 was revived today with the release of a video that showed masked policemen entering the library and beating up students. The full video also revealed that a group of persons, one purportedly with a stone in his hand, had entered the library.

‘Not released by Varsity’

New Delhi: Jamia Millia Islamia has clarified that it has not released the new video which is circulating on the social media showing some men in paramilitary and police uniform beating up students in the university library on December 15. PTI

The video rebuts the claim by the Delhi Police that it had not entered the library and indiscriminately attacked students studying there. First, a 28-second video posted on the social media released by the Jamia Coordination Committee, comprising students and alumni, went completely against the police. It began with a commotion as those in the library reading room tried to duck under desks. Seconds later, helmeted or masked policemen armed with truncheons rush inside the room and begin attacking the students.

“We have taken cognisance of the latest video of Jamia university which has surfaced now, we will investigate it,” said Delhi Police Special Commissioner (Crime) Praveer Ranjan.

Condemnation was immediate and the Congress said the video proved the Delhi police had lied that it had not entered the library. “See how the Delhi Police are thrashing the students. A boy is reading a book but a cop continues to beat him. The Home Minister and Delhi Police had lied that they had not entered the library, thrashed the students,” said Congress’ Priyanka Vadra on social media. “It is a fact that the police have mercilessly beaten the students. We all know that. It is a shameful act. It is very unfortunate that such an incident took place,” said Congress leader Digvijaya Singh.

Later in the day, another group that included BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya posted a video while charging the Jamia Coordination Committee with posting a truncated video clip. This video begins with some students studying in the library when suddenly some men with their faces masked enter the library. The masked men try to close the gate but the police barge in and begin a lathicharge. On the basis of this video, the group claims the rioters had entered the library leading to the police action. The Jamia committee said Malviya’s deduction was incorrect. “A few students had covered their face because of tear gas. No one can be seen with stones or raising slogans,” said Imran Chaudhary of the committee.