Protest turns violent at Banaras Hindu University as students demand revival of their union

A protest by students of Banaras Hindu University demanding restoration of the students union to its earlier self today turned violent as they set a vehicle on fire and closed the varsity gates, forcing police to resort to lathicharge and fire several rounds in the air.

Trouble began this afternoon during the first round of nomination process for election to the newly-formed students council. According to police, the students started picketing on the campus demanding that all rights and the earlier form of the students union be restored. In 1997, the BHU students union was dissolved. And a students council was formed in 2007-08.

The protesters allegedly set a pick-up van on fire on the campus and forcibly closed all departments. They also locked all gates.

Police resorted to lathicharge and fired several rounds in the air to disperse the students, sources said. According to the sources, at least a girl student sustained injury but official confirmation could not be obtained so far.

Senior police officers, along with a heavy police force, rushed to the spot. Police have detained two BHU students.