A PhD aspirant studying in Aligarh Muslim University, identified as one Anas Shamsi, who had completed his post-graduation in social works, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a fan inside his hostel room in the evening of October 15.
After learning about the incident several AMU students led by one Mohd Umar Farooq created a ruckus in the University campus not allowing police to enter the premises. They alleged that the administration and police arrived late.
Over 150 students of the University were booked by Aligarh police on Wednesday in connection with the violence on Tuesday night after police forcefully entered the campus to investigate the incident.
As per reports, the students were objecting to the police trying to take the body of Shamshi for completion of formalities and a post-mortem. Some students had also reportedly gathered around the VC’s lodge demanding the police to be sent back.
According to Aligarh police, six students have been identified for indulging in violence and destruction of government property. Police have registered an FIR against the students under sections 147 (rioting), 342 (wrongful confinement), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 352 (assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of IPC and section 7 in the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1932.
According to reports, the outraged students attacked Aligarh Superintendent of Police, Abhishek when he arrived at the campus to probe the alleged suicide. The students allegedly pelted stones, bricks and vandalised SP’s car. However, the SP escaped unhurt. Police forces and RAF were deployed outside the campus but the uproar continued till late in the night.
They raised slogans against the police administration and blocked them from entering the campus. A large number of students gathered at the vice-chancellor’s lodge demanding that the police be sent out from the campus.
As per reports the deceased student, Anas Shamsi, was a resident of Pilibhit district in Uttar Pradesh. He has completed his Master in Social Work (MSW) course from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and was preparing for his PhD. He shared room no. 22 of the Mumtaz hostel with three other students.
On Tuesday night when one of his roommates reached the hostel room, he found Anas hanging from the fan. Panicked to see his roommate hanging from the ceiling fan, he called upon other students who then brought Anas down only to find him dead. The students immediately apprised the University authorities of what had transpired.
After the AMU administration arrived the body was taken for post mortem and thereafter kept at a mortuary in the Medical college. The reason for suicide is not yet known. Investigations are underway.