Jinnah portrait row: Security reinforced in Aligarh

Aligarh: Security has been stepped  up in the city over the ongoing dispute about  Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah's portrait in Aligarh Muslim University's Student Union office. 

Senior superintendent of police Ajay Kumar Sahni told UNI here on Saturday that additional patrols were in place outside AMU . He said some students held a demonstration at university entrance gate. Besides, several right-wing organisations had raised voice against Jinnah's portrait in AMU.

Mr Sahni said that adequate numbers of local policemen, provincial armed constabulary, rapid action force and other security forces were deployed near the AMU premises. Internet services were snapped till 1200 hrs to control spread of rumours over social media.

The SSP said that a case was registered after Wednesday's violence and an administrative probe into the matter was underway. Police and administration, he added, were keeping vigil on miscreants.Vehicle checking drives were being carried out across the city, especially at its entry points, to prevent outsiders fomenting violence, he pointed out.

  Some traders organisations opposed snapping of internet services as it had affected their business and argued that it should be restricted to AMU only. Taking preventive measures, prohibitory orders under section 144 was imposed in the area and police had closed vigil on people coming and going outside AMU.

The dispute had erupted over Pakistan founder Jinnah's portrait in AMU student's union office. Some politicians had defended the existence of the portrait while Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and others had condemned the glorification of Jinnah and ordered a high-level probe into the matter.Right-wing outfits had held agitations in many cities, including Varanasi, Lucknow and Gorakhpur.  

Some students were injured and vehicles were vandalised in the violent protests. Academic activities in AMU were stalled from past one week and programmes and examinations postponed. (UNI)