Two individuals have been arrested in connection with an assault on foreign students at Gujarat University's hostel campus on Saturday night. The accused, residents of Ahmedabad, were nabbed following a police report. Police handed them over to Gujarat University police for further proceedings.
The Ministry of External Affairs took notice of the brawl involving foreign students. A statement released on Sunday by spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that a violent incident occurred at Gujarat University in Ahmedabad. The state government is taking strict action against the perpetrators.
According to the statement, the clash on Saturday resulted in two foreign students sustaining injuries. One of the students has been discharged from the hospital after treatment. The ministry is in contact with the Gujarat government regarding the matter.
Ahmedabad's Police Commissioner G.S. Malik clarified that the entire dispute started due to objections raised against the foreign students' prayer activities. The conflict escalated leading to injuries of two students from Tajikistan and Sri Lanka.
Seven individuals have been identified in the hostel assault incident, and two arrests have been made by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch. Interrogations continue with the detainees.
The police aim to arrest the remaining suspects soon.
In-charge DCP Tarun Duggal stated that nine teams were formed to capture the accused. An FIR has been registered against 25 people. The DCP emphasized that the remaining suspects would soon be apprehended.
The Gujarat University Police Station has recorded offenses under various sections in light of the assault on foreign students at the campus.
The coordinator of the School of International Studies and Diaspora has been dismissed,
Reports suggest that the foreign students' hostel campus falls within the jurisdiction of the School of International Studies and Diaspora. The coordinator has been removed, and the students will be shifted to a new hostel. Meanwhile, measures have been set to monitor activities within the hostel premises.
In light of the security failure despite having guards, the university is taking action against the security agency.
The State's Home Minister orders strict action.
Gujarat's Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi called a meeting this morning in response to the incident. Immediate action orders were given to the DG and CP. The hostel houses students from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Syria, and various African nations.
Foreign students residing in the hostel expressed concerns about their safety, suggesting that the government should refrain from issuing visas if such conditions persist. Victims reported break-ins and assaults in their hostel rooms, with vandalism to laptops, AC units, wardrobes, tables, doors, and sound systems. They participate in all festivals and consider everyone as brothers, but the violence was unexpected.
What did the Police Commissioner say?
Police Commissioner G.S. Malik stated that after the campus fight began, the police were called at 10:51 PM, and a team arrived by 10:56 PM. Nine investigation teams have been formed on orders from the state's Home Minister, comprising four crime branch teams and five from the DCP's office.
He assured that the situation is under control and there is no need to fear. Multiple videos related to the incident have surfaced, showing a young man being slapped. The police are currently investigating these leads.
