Date:09/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/09/stories/2006120921141600.htm

National

Polls put off, Lucknow varsity closed

Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW: A day after Lucknow University students staged a violent protest against the Lyngdoh Committee recommendations on union elections, Vice-Chancellor R.P. Singh cancelled the notification for the December 16 polls. He decided that the union elections would not be held this academic session.

The Vice-Chancellor ordered indefinite closure of the university and asked students to vacate hostels within 24 hours. Also closed indefinitely were the seven affiliated colleges — Jai Narain Degree College, Bappa Shri Narain College, Lucknow Christian College, Shia Degree College, Kalicharan College, Vidyant College and DAV College. Union elections in these colleges would also not be held in the current session.

The university authorities are firm on holding the elections only in accordance with the committee recommendations.

The decision to cancel the elections followed a meeting between Governor-Chancellor T.V. Rajeswar and a delegation of teachers, and members of the university proctorial boardled by Prof. Singh on Friday. The Vice-Chancellor told Mr. Rajeswar that student leaders were taking undue advantage of official security and gunners provided by the district administration. Prof. Singh said violence on the campus and outside was invariably instigated by the leaders who were provided security.

The Vice-Chancellor urged the Governor to withdraw the security and the gunners provided to student leaders.

During the recent police week celebrations, Mr. Rajeswar assailed the Samajwadi Party Government for providing official security to 10 student leaders. In reply to a query, the Government informed the Vidhan Sabha last week that 296 persons were provided security (gunners) in Lucknow district till June 30, 2006.