AMU students continue indefinite stir

Students of Aligarh Muslim University today threatened to intensify their stir if their "democratic rights" are not restored.The students, numbering around one hundred, have been staging an "indefinite dharna" at the University premises since yesterday, demanding more rights as well as removal of some top University officials who they allege were "crushing" their democratic rights.Mushtaq Ahmad, a spokesman of the agitators, told newspersons today that the students are demanding immediate revival of the Students' Union which has been defunct for more than four years.He said the students are also demanding the removal of some top university officials who were allegedly responsible for enforcing "draconian measures" at the campus."Since the past two years any student who tried to raise his voice was rusticated," the spokesman alleged.He said that some student leaders from New Delhi, including former students of AMU, have decided to extend full support to them for their demands.Earlier yesterday evening AMU Vice Chancellor Professor P K Abdul Azis had a meeting with senior university officials to review the situation.AMU spokesman Rahat Abrar said "The University was prepared to review the genuine demands of the protestors, but despite all efforts the agitators have not responded to any initiative."