Protesting against the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) decision to scrap the non-NET fellowship, students from across universities in the country on Wednesday held a protest march to Parliament but were stopped mid-way.
The march, attended by scores of students turned ugly when students had a confrontation with the police and water canons and tear gas shells were used to disperse them. The students were also lathi-charged by the police, an issue that police refused to comment on. Instead, they claimed that students pelted stones at the police prompting them to use water canons.
“Students started pelting stones at the police deployed there following which we had use water canons and tear gas shells,” a senior police officer said.
According to the police, around 150 students were also detained during the protest. The protesters however claimed the number to be more than that.
Sucheta De, one of the protesters said: “All our pleadings for a peaceful march fell on deaf ears as the police were hell bent to stop and attack us. Students gathered from all across the country but we are not aware who all are injured. 700 participated but around 300 are detained, many students are injured as well”.
