Lucknow, Sep 9 (IANS) Demanding restoration of the students’ union polls in the Allahabad University, some students went on a rampage, attacking public transport and clashing with police, officials said.
Police assaulted students with batons as they tried to enter the vice-chancellor’s office on the varsity campus.

“In order to stop the students from being unruly, we had to use force against them,” Superintendent of Police Awadesh Kumar Vijeta, told IANS over phone.

“At that time, we had no other option left other than to resort to baton charge in order to disperse the protesting students. However, no student was seriously injured during the incident,” he added.

For the last two years, the Allahabad University has not conducted the students union polls on the plea that the elections would vitiate the academic atmosphere on the campus.

“The varsity would recommend FIR against as many as 12 students, who were primarily responsible for the violent protests,” university proctor Jata Shankar told reporters in Allahabad.

“For resuming the elections, we were ready to hold talks with a group of students. However, some unruly elements, who did not want a peaceful solution, started violent protests,” he added.

According to university officials, students behind the violence would invite strict action and may even be suspended or expelled from one of the oldest universities in the country.