Clashes Continue At Lucknow University; Over 200 Students Protest Against Administrative Negligence

Fresh clashes at Lucknow University spark massive student protests after repeated violence. Students allege police inaction despite injuries from armed assault; tensions remain high on campus.

Clashes Continue At Lucknow University; Over 200 Students Protest Against Administrative Negligence

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The ongoing tensions at Lucknow University escalated further as fresh violence broke out on Thursday evening between hostellers and day scholars at IT College Crossing, a day after a violent clash on campus left 19 students injured. The recent episode triggered a massive protest involving over 200 students who blocked roads and marched to the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, accusing university authorities of negligence.

Wednesday's Clash Sparks Chain of Violence

The initial confrontation began on Wednesday at the university canteen near the journalism department following an ego clash. What started as a verbal spat quickly turned into a violent altercation, with students brandishing cricket stumps and sticks. The violence spilled beyond the campus to the Hanuman Setu area, prompting the deployment of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and the formation of a five-member committee by the university to investigate the incident.

Students Attacked Again at IT College Crossing

However, peace was short-lived. On Thursday evening, over 25-30 students allegedly attacked three hostellers from Habibullah Hostel at IT College Crossing, where they had gone for refreshments. An eyewitness reported, “In no time, we were surrounded by them. They carried guns, iron rods and got hold of sugarcane sticks from a nearby makeshift store, which were used as weapons to beat us. One amongst us sustained a nose injury while two suffered head injuries when they were hit by the butt of a gun. Two sustained leg injuries while over a dozen suffered minor injuries during the incident.”

The attackers reportedly included a former LU student involved in Wednesday’s clash. The victims attempted to flee towards their hostel but were intercepted and assaulted with stones and wooden sticks. One student suffered a fractured leg, another sustained a head injury, and the third had a nose injury.

Protest Erupts; Traffic Blocked and VC Residence Gheraoed

News of the attack spread rapidly, prompting hundreds of hostellers to gather at IT College Crossing, where they blocked the road for over an hour. Traffic remained disrupted for nearly 60 minutes. The protestors later moved to the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, demanding strict action against the assailants.

Adding to the outrage, students at the protest expressed their frustration over inaction from law enforcement. They said, "Even after being hit with the butt of a pistol, the police are not taking any action." The perceived lack of accountability became a central theme of the protest at the Vice-Chancellor’s residence, where the students staged a gherao (encirclement) to demand immediate justice.

लखनऊ विश्वविद्यालय के छात्रों ने कुलपति आवास का किया घिराव छात्रों का कहना है की पिस्टल के बट से मरने के बाद भी पुलिस नहीं कर रही कार्रवाई... #LucknowUniversity #Lucknow pic.twitter.com/mPs1dkqITQ

— Sumit Kumar (@skphotography68) April 10, 2025

Police Assure Action, Register Two FIRs

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Zone), Manisha Singh, said, “Those injured during the violence went through a medical examination. A team has been sent for arresting those accused in the incident.” She further assured that “strict legal action will be taken against those involved in both Wednesday's and Thursday's clashes.”

Police confirmed that two FIRs were registered on Thursday. The first was filed by former LU student Alok Mishra, who claimed he was attacked on campus by hostel students while collecting his degree. He alleged the assailants brandished a firearm and threatened to kill him. The second FIR was lodged by Mohammad Intisaar, a resident of Mahmudabad Hostel, who named 13 individuals in his complaint for attacking him with rods and belts.

Honking Dispute Identified as Root Cause

A root cause of the conflict, according to some reports, stemmed from a dispute over honking. A few students who had come to meet their friends outside the hostel repeatedly honked their vehicle horns, which drew objections from the hostellers. "Some students who had come to meet their friends outside the hostel continuously honked their vehicle horns, which led to opposition from the hostel residents. The argument escalated to the point of a physical altercation. Gradually, the disturbance spread from the university premises to the Hanuman Setu area."