AMU security plan opposed by alumni

NEW DELHI: A proposed tough security apparatus at the Aligarh Muslim University has triggered a row with the minority institution's alumni claiming that the initiative "to be monitored by the Intelligence Bureau" will "terrorise students and lower their morale".
       
The AMU Action Committee, which met here on Saturday, demanded immediate withdrawal of the measure by the varsity administration.
       
The AMU recently invited tenders for 433 trained security personnel, including 37 gunmen, besides CCTV surveillance system, a central monitoring station and other hi-tech equipment, comprising walkie-talkie sets and metal detectors.
      
"The university is going to install a security arrangement in the campus which will be supervised by the IB. This move will bring down the morale of the students. It will terrorise the students and they will not able to express their mind freely," Z K Faizan, convenor of the AMU Action Committee, said.
      
"Why is the university administration setting up a security system which will be under the direct supervision of the IB? This is the first university to have a security system inside the campus. This move will really affect the students in the institution," he said.
       
They also backed Jamia Milla Islamia University's decision to provide legal aid to two of its students accused in the Delhi serial blasts.
      
"We must congratulate the Jamia varsity Vice Chancellor's decision to provide legal aid to two of its pupils who have been accused in Delhi blasts. It is a decision which should be congratulated," they said.

The AMU Action Committee also warned of a protest if Vice Chancellor P K Abdul Azis did not revive the students union in the varsity by November 15.
     
"The students union should be revived before November 15 and the elections conducted within 30 days. If the VC fails to do so, the Action Committee will protest outside the varsity campus," Zafaryab Jilani, convenor of All India Babri Masjid Action Committee, said.
      
Javid Habib, former AMU Students Union President, said the committee will hold a conference on January 30, the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, to highlight the "evils of terrorism".
     
"Gandhiji is the first life-time member of the AMU. He was also a victim of terrorism," he said.
      
Stating that the Action Committee cannot tolerate any violation of Constitution, its members accused the Vice Chancellor of disrespecting Parliament which had enacted the Aligarh Muslim University Act.
      
"The minority charter is not being used properly by the VC. He is not fulfilling the duties which he is supposed to carry out," they said.