Lucknow varsity expels 19 more students

Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW : Nineteen more students were expelled by the Lucknow University authorities on Thursday, bringing to 57 the number of students ousted since Wednesday night.

None of the students expelled on Thursday held any office in the Lucknow University Students’ Union (LUSU). They were essentially second rung leaders or associates of the leaders.

Vice Chancellor R.P. Singh had said in all 100 students charged with serious offences such as violence, arson and disruption of academic activity would be expelled from the campus.

Another significant development in the university on Thursday was the demolition of unauthorised and illegal structures on the campus. They belonged to the employees. Prof Singh had stated earlier that the illegal employees’ quarters were being used for flesh trade and drug pedalling.

With the Vice Chancellor leading the demolition drive, the university authorities dismantled 11 illegal houses. Seven of these were one and two rooms dwellings built near the Machhi Dwar in the university campus. The other four were garages for teachers’ vehicles, now being used as living space by the employees.

Earlier reports:

Lucknow University Vice-Chancellor R.P. Singh on Wednesday night expelled 38 students on charges of hooliganism, disrupting classes and gross indiscipline on the campus. Prof. Singh told The Hindu that 12 students were expelled earlier.

"The expelled students had many criminal cases pending against them. They were involved in violence on the campus on November 21 and charged with goondaism, intimidation and disrupting classes, which threatened to ruin the careers of many students."

Among the 38 expelled on Wednesday, at least six were student leaders, who enjoyed political patronage and occupied vital posts in the Lucknow University Students Union (LUSU).

Included in this list were the former LUSU general secretary, Ram Singh Rana, the former vice-president Tej Narain Pandey, another former general secretary Shiv Bhushan Singh, present general secretary Vinod Kumar Tripathi and Vijay Singh "Tintoo," who was in the fray for president post.