New Delhi:
Five Delhi University students have been arrested for allegedly torching a police van near the North Campus.
According to the police, the incident happened late last night when it was trying to take a student to hospital after his condition deteriorated due to a hunger strike.
"Some students were sitting on a hunger strike against the non-availability of accommodation for the pass out students in the university. The condition of a student Praveen Kumar, fasting since the last ten days near the Arts faculty, deteriorated. We tried to take him to the hospital in a police van," said a police official.
When the van moved towards the hospital, a student jumped in front of the van and was injured. Angry students torched the police gypsy of Station House Officer (SHO) of Maurice Nagar police station and raised slogans against police. Police had to resort to use of mild force to reign in the protestors.
"We have arrested five students after a case under various sections including that of damaging government property was registered," the official added.
Later in the day, Delhi University released a statement condemning the event.
"The University also strongly deplores the minuscule segment of the teaching community in misguiding innocent students, jeopardising their career and endangering their personal safety," the statement said.