Firing at AMU: MBBS student shot in leg during clash, one arrested

Muzzafarnagar: A disturbing shooting incident between two rival groups near the Maulana Azad Library Book Stall of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in the Civil Lines area of Aligarh resulting in the injury of a female MBBS student of the university caused shockwaves on the campus.

The final-year medical student of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU sustained critical injuries to her leg when she was struck by a bullet while passing by the AMU campus. She was the unfortunate victim of an alleged accidental shot fired by one of the rival groups (non-AMU students) engaged in a clash near the university. 

Following the incident, she was immediately rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and was hospitalised for medical treatment. Presently, her condition is stable and doctors declared that she is out of danger.

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Based on an FIR registered, the police and the proctorial team, working on a tip-off, raided a university hostel on Wednesday night and nabbed one of the accused. The police are presently searching for other accused involved in the case. They are also investigating the circumstances related to the fire shooting. 

The incident took place on Wednesday evening after two rival groups got into a fight near the campus which escalated quickly resulting in allegedly opening fire at each other after taking out their gun. While engaging in the clash, the youth aimlessly shot fired which struck the student who was passing by the university. 

The victim is a 24-year-old MBBS student of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU. She is a resident of Shamshad Market in Aligarh. 

This caused huge commotion on the campus prompting the authorities to call the police on the spot. After receiving the information, senior officers and a heavy police force rushed to the scene under the supervision of the local police station chief.

A complaint was filed against the two youths and an FIR was registered under relevant sections at Kotwali Civil Lines accordingly. 

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Proctor Prof Mohd Waseem said three persons were involved in the shooting incident and all of them were “outsiders”.

AMU proctor Mohammad Waseem Ali told TOI, "The miscreants who opened fire are not AMU students. The girl who suffered a gunshot wound is our student. We called the police and assisted them in conducting raids on university premises. Police arrested an accused from Nadeem Hall."

Speaking to FPJ, Mrigank Shekhar Pathak, the Superintendent of Police, Civil Lines, Aligarh said "During the altercation between two individuals on the AMU campus, a bullet struck the foot of a female bystander. The police were alerted by AMU authorities, and upon reaching the scene, it was confirmed that the incident occurred during a fight between two non-AMU students." 

The police are ascertaining the reason and factors behind the incident. An investigation into the case is underway.

Meanwhile, the firing incident has prompted AMU authorities to launch a crackdown in its different hostels against “illegal occupants” who have been reportedly taking shelter there in recent months.

“AMU authorities launched the crackdown on Thursday evening and about half a dozen odd illegal occupants have already been evacuated from some hostels," AMU spokesperson Omar Peerzada told PTI.

Peerzada added that "members of the proctorial team also carried out intensive checking of vehicles parked inside various hostels" in an attempt to get hold of vehicle owners whose "records are incomplete".

On Thursday afternoon, the varsity's officials said a high-level meeting was held by the AMU vice-chancellor with all senior officials to take stock of the law and order situation on the campus.

The AMU authorities have also urged all bonafide students to immediately report if any unauthorised person is found staying in any hostel room, they added.

Meanwhile, a senior university official told PTI, “A number of violent incidents including shootouts have been reported on the campus during the recent months and the latest crackdown, though belated, is certainly welcome.”

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