The police officer, identified as sub-inspector Aviral Mishra, is heard warning the protesting students in the video, saying, “Itni force mangaunga, thanda kar dunga. Yeh Gorakhpur Police hai” (I will deploy so much force that I will cool you down. You don't know, this is Gorakhpur Police). He is also seen raising his hand and aggressively shaking his fist. Some abuses can also be heard during the animated confrontation with the students.
Gorakhpur Police said the incident occurred when a meeting between a group of expelled students and the university proctor descended into chaos. According to the police, some students became aggressive and attempted to assault the proctor.
“The police personnel deployed at the spot immediately intervened, safely escorted the proctor out, and brought the situation under control. An investigation into the matter is underway. Necessary legal action is being taken,” the police said in a statement.
The sub-inspector’s conduct also drew criticism from the opposition. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “Exercise restraint and maintain civility, because these are protesting students, not criminals,” in a post on social media.
The confrontation came amid intensifying protests by DDU students over alleged irregularities at the university. The students have been protesting inside the campus since August 25 and began a hunger strike four days ago.
The agitation centres on five key demands. Students have sought an inquiry into alleged financial irregularities involving the university’s examination agency. They have alleged that charges were collected from students even for degrees and marksheets.
The protesters have also claimed that student union fees were being charged despite elections not being conducted and have demanded that elections be held immediately.
The students have further demanded better mess and basic facilities in hostels. Their other demands include transparency in the allocation of works being carried out at the university under the PM-USHA scheme and the reinstatement of expelled students.
The protesting students have asserted that their agitation will continue until their demands are met.
On Tuesday, a section of students protesting inside the administrative building complex allegedly locked both gates, causing inconvenience to teachers and other employees.
DDU additional proctor Dr Ved Prakash Rai later reached the spot along with police and university security guards. The students were asked to clear the premises but refused to do so.
A heated argument followed and eventually turned into an altercation. Another video showed pushing and shoving during the confrontation. As the situation escalated, police quickly moved Rai away from the spot.
It was during this episode that the video showing sub-inspector Aviral Mishra warning the protesting students went viral. The incident took place between 2 pm and 3 pm on Tuesday.
The confrontation has intensified scrutiny of the ongoing student agitation at DDU, with the police saying that an investigation is underway and necessary legal action is being taken.
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