Eyewitness Details Campus Shooting in Varanasi, Questions College Security
An eyewitness to the March 20 killing of a BSc student on the Udai Pratap Autonomous College campus in Varanasi has alleged that the attacker intended to target multiple students during the violent incident. The shooting has sparked significant tension, leading to heavy police deployment and raising serious questions about campus security protocols.
Details of the Fatal Shooting
A 23-year-old student, Surya Pratap Singh, was shot on the campus by his classmate, Manjit Chauhan, on Friday afternoon. According to police reports, the victim was in the social science faculty corridor when Chauhan allegedly opened fire. The situation was brought under control after the accused was arrested late Friday evening and subsequently sent to jail.
Police stated that the accused claimed he was frequently harassed by Singh and his friends, which led him to plan the murder. This revelation has added a layer of complexity to the investigation, highlighting potential interpersonal conflicts among students.
Eyewitness Account and Allegations
In viral videos of the shooting, a girl can be seen standing firm near the spot. She later told reporters that Chauhan fired at Singh's chest, then targeted two intervening students before returning to shoot the victim's temple again, ensuring he wouldn't survive. Despite pleas from her, others, and a professor to spare Singh, Chauhan did not relent, she claimed.
The eyewitness questioned the college administration's role, asking critical questions:
- How did Chauhan bring a firearm onto the campus?
- Why were the principal and security personnel not aware of the earlier clash between him and Singh?
- Why did the principal allegedly not provide his vehicle to rush the victim to a hospital?
However, Principal Prof DK Singh denied these claims, stating his official vehicle was used to transport the injured student to the hospital, accompanied by his driver, a professor, and some students.
Campus Tensions and Ongoing Investigations
Despite Chauhan's arrest, the campus remains tense. Students and former student leaders held a candle march on Monday evening to protest the incident and demand better security measures. During this march, participants caught a student who was allegedly uploading posts in support of the accused and handed him over to the police.
Principal Prof DK Singh said the college, which has been shut since March 20, will likely reopen after the Ram Navami holiday. College authorities provided additional context, stating that Singh's academic performance was poor, and he was asked to fill out back paper exam forms on March 20. After filling the form, he left but returned, prompting security to caution him about his behavior, given his earlier attack on a student on March 17.
Police Response and Security Measures
ACP Cantt Apoorv Pandey on Tuesday said that the search for the co-accused in the Singh murder case was continuing. As a precautionary measure, sufficient police force has been deployed in and around the college to prevent any further incidents and maintain order.
The killing has underscored broader concerns about safety in educational institutions, with calls for enhanced security protocols and better conflict resolution mechanisms among students.
