BHU Campus Shooting Incident Triggers Student Protests in Varanasi
In a disturbing late-night incident on Saturday, motorcycle-borne miscreants unleashed indiscriminate firing targeting a student near the Birla hostel gate on the Banaras Hindu University campus in Varanasi. The student, identified as Raushan Mishra, a third-year BA student and resident of Birla hostel, narrowly escaped the attack, but the event has ignited significant unrest among the student community.
Panic and Immediate Aftermath
Panic gripped the hostel road on the BHU campus late Saturday night as the sound of gunfire echoed through the area. According to Mishra, he was standing with a friend at the hostel gate when three assailants on a motorcycle arrived and opened fire indiscriminately. Miraculously, he managed to avoid injury, but the brazen attack left students shaken and demanding immediate action.
Student Protests and Road Blockades
In response to the shooting, students swiftly blocked the road near the Birla hostel gate, calling for the arrest of the accused individuals. The protest led to an intervention by law enforcement authorities. ADCP Kashi, Vaibhav Bangar, confirmed that a First Information Report has been registered against five assailants in connection with the incident.
Following assurances from the police, the students cleared the road by Saturday midnight. However, the unrest did not subside entirely. On Sunday morning, another group of students resumed their protest by staging a sit-in and blocking the hostel road once again. This time, their demands expanded beyond the immediate arrest of the attackers.
Broader Demands for Campus Security
The protesting students have called for the sacking of the chief proctor and have emphasized the need for better facilities and enhanced security measures on campus. They expressed frustration over what they perceive as inadequate safety protocols and a lack of accountability from university administration.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
ADCP Vaibhav Bangar and ACP Bhelupur Gaurav Kumar have both assured the student community that the attackers will be apprehended soon. The police are actively investigating the case, leveraging the FIR filed against the five assailants to pursue leads and ensure justice is served.
This incident highlights growing concerns about campus security at educational institutions in Varanasi and underscores the urgent need for preventive measures to safeguard students from such violent acts in the future.
