Jamia students protesting police ‘raids’ call off agitation

New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) Students at Jamia Millia Islamiawho have been protesting since four days against the "surprisechecks" by police in the varsity hostels today called off theagitation after the Vice Chancellor assured them of "zeropolice presence" on campus. Scores of students have been protesting at the varsityalleging that "surprise checks" were made by Delhi Police intheir hostels last Saturday. While the students dubbed them as "raids", policeofficials maintained that they were part of routine checksbeing conducted in that area ahead of Independence Day. Taking exception to plain-clothed police personnelentering Jamia premises without permission, the varsityauthorities had written to the Delhi Police demanding suitableaction against them. "The four-day long protest was called off today after theVice Chancellor in a written letter to DCP asked for legalaction against those cops and officers who had entereduniversity boys hostel premises," the students said in astatement. "We have been assured of zero police presence on thecampus. No police will be allowed to enter the campus withoutfulfilling proper rules and regulations and no action would beinitiated against any students who were involved in theprotest directly or indirectly," it added. The Dean of Students’ Welfare, Tasneem Meenai hadinformed the students that no "raid" was conducted in the Hallof Residence for Boys by police or Intelligence Bureau and theprotest should be called off. PTI GJSRT