AMU Student Groups Clash at Horse Show, gunshots fired; 5 arrested

Agra: Tension flared at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital in Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus after a clash broke out between two student groups over seating arrangements in viewer's gallery at a horse show organised on the campus and later erupted at the hospitals's emergency ward where gunshots were fired openly, causing panic among patients and medical staff.

According to the police, the gun is reported to be a country-made pistol suspected to have been used in the firing by one of the students. Five individuals have been arrested in connection. Among them, one is a registered student of the university, while the identities of the other four arrested individuals are still being verified to determine if they are students or “outside elements.”

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As per the PTI report, the incident took place on Tuesday during a horse show organised by the AMU Riding Club, where a fight erupted between two student groups. A minor dispute over the seating arrangements escalated into a clash between two student factions, resulting in injuries to a student.

When the injured student was receiving treatment at the hospital’s emergency centre, the opposing group arrived, leading to a second, more violent confrontation inside the hospital premises, where gunshots were reportedly exchanged.

The hospital staff raised an alarm, prompting a swift response from the police and AMU security personnel, who eventually restored order. However, the situation caused panic among patients, resident doctors and other hospital staff who hurried to a safe spot after hearing the gunfire.

Following this, the student who was given treatment for injuries and the security officer at JMCH filed a complaint separately at the Civil Lines police station against the attackers. Based on this, the police registered two FIRs against the 5 individuals and arrested them.

In response to the violent incident, junior doctors at the hospital on Wednesday staged a protest by shutting down hospital operations, alleging a “complete breakdown of security arrangements”.

Pointing out the chaotic and traumatic atmosphere at the hospital, junior doctors arranged a general body meeting and declared a strike demanding adequate security personnel, installation of security infrastructure, swift legal action against miscreants and resignation of the responsible authorities. They had also called for immediate and decisive action to guarantee their safety and stop similar incidents from happening again.

However, the protest was called off after the university administration increased security measures across the campus and the police arrested the five miscreants. Due to the protest, emergency health services were hit at the hospital, and several patients, especially those in critical condition, were referred to hospitals in Delhi. Reports HT.

“Health facilities were affected in the emergency ward, although the OPD remained operational. However, due to the strike, patients were seen struggling for treatment, and hospital authorities confirmed that multiple serious cases had to be shifted to the national capital," said Professor Mohd Wasim Ali.

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