Two held for disrupting PU building inauguration

Patna: Police have arrested two people for allegedly leading a students’ protest that disrupted the inauguration of Patna University’s new administrative and academic building (Faculty of Arts) under Pirbahore police station area on March 30.

The protest had taken place in the presence of CM Nitish Kumar and deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary and led to clashes, leaving several police personnel and a magistrate injured.Those arrested have been identified as former Patna University Students’ Union (PUSU) president Anurag Kumar, who was nabbed from Naubatpur, and current university counsellor Mohammad Ehsanullah, arrested from Iqbal Hostel at Patna College on Ashok Rajpath.

Both have been sent to judicial custody.According to police, students raised slogans against the state govt, obstructed police work and misbehaved with officers, leading to scuffles. Several policemen and a magistrate on duty were reportedly injured in the incident.Town DSP Rajesh Ranjan said six students, including current PUSU president Shantanu Shekhar, have been named as accused and that Shekhar is currently absconding.

“A case has also been registered against around 30 unidentified students. Raids are underway to arrest the remaining accused,” he said, confirming that two arrests have been made so far.The complaint was filed by block panchayati raj officer Virendra Chaudhary, who was on duty at the venue. He alleged that around 2.30pm, 15 to 20 students arrived at the site, created a ruckus and attempted to disturb law and order.Police said the students were upset as they and the vice-chancellor had not received invitations to the inauguration, and because the VC’s name was not mentioned on the plaque unveiled during the ceremony.