12 OU students booked, protests under control: AK Khan

City Police Commissioner Ak Khan on Saturday said that five State Road Transport Corporation buses, three vehicle belonging to the electronic media and one vehicle belonging to the police were burnt in the violence which has rocked the Osmania University campus after the Justice Srikrishna Committee Report was disclosed to the public.

Mr Khan revealed that 12 students have been taken into custody so far and 18 criminal cases have been filed against the students. He added that an attempt to set a petrol tanker on fire was stopped in the nick of time on Friday.

 The police chief also said that the Osmania University police station has come under heavy stone pelting by the students. He added that this stone pelting is almost continuous.

Mr Khan added that the police have managed to contain the agitations inside the campus by blockading the three exits. He said that the police have strengthened security at the three entrances keeping in view that the students had indulged in vandalism during last year’s agitations after emerging out from these spots.

The police chief also said that if the students take out a peaceful rally, then the police itself would provide them protection.

When asked about the reports that a minor student was beaten by policemen, the top cop said that the actual fact was that the student in question was taken to his parents and after counselling, was handed over to them. He added that the parents were told to ensure that their minor children remain away from the agitations.

When asked to respond to the fact that the police personnel were throwing stones back at the agitators, Mr Khan said that strict action would be taken against the erring cops. He pointed out that last year, action was taken against 58 police personnel who were found to have exceeded their authority while dealing with the agitators.

He also said that the concerned citizens can approach the State Human Rights Commission if the police commit any excesses against the agitators.

The police chief also lashed out at the rumours doing rounds that one student, Ravi Kumar has been killed due to police firing. He emphatically stated that no student has died since no live ammunition was used against the protestors.

Mr Khan said that the student in question is recovering in Gandhi Hospital from a pellet shot.

He said that rubber bullets and tear gas shells have been used to disperse agitating students.