DGP says no forces inside campus, uneasy calm in OU

Director General of Police K Aravinda Rao on Sunday denied that there were any paramilitary forces deployed inside the Osmania University campus, even as an uneasy calm prevailed inside the campus, with three incidents of stone pelting being reported.

Talking to media persons, Mr Aravinda Rao said that the Central Paramilitary Forces were deployed outside the Osmania campus as a precautionary measure to prevent untoward incidents after the Justice B N Srikrishna Commission Report was disclosed to the people.

The DGP’s statement assumes importance as it comes in the wake of Ministers, MPs, MLAs and MLCs demanding that the government immediately withdraw the forces from the Campus and condemning police action on students on Thursday.

Mr Aravinda Rao called upon students to observe restraint and help the police in the maintenance of law and order. 

“There is no restriction on the movement of students. The hostels are also open but the messes have been shut down by the OU authorities due to Sankranti holidays,” he said.

The DGP said that there were no restrictions on media coverage also. However, the DGP made it clear the television channels were following the advisory issued by the National Broadcasting Association and were observing self-censorship.

Mr Aravinda Rao said the people should know the developments in Osmania University and media has the duty to keep the information flowing, but this should be done in a responsible manner.

Meanwhile, the campus was relatively calm on Sunday with students preferring to adopt the wait and watch game.

Three minor stone pelting incidents were reported from inside the campus. These took place near the NCC Gate, OU Police Station and Science Hostel.

The students were demanding the withdrawal of forces from the varsity.

However, no one was injured in the stone pelting.