The Hindu : New Delhi News : Jamia confirms two blasts suspects are its students

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Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008
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Jamia confirms two blasts suspects are its students

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Jamia Millia Islamia on Monday confirmed that two of the three suspected militants arrested by the Delhi police on Sunday for alleged involvement in the Delhi serial blasts are students of the university.

“We do confirm that two of the students picked up by the police on Sunday are on the rolls of the University. On the basis of this prima facie information, the University will consider initiating disciplinary action against them,” said Vice-Chancellor Mushirul Hasan in a letter to his colleagues.

“The incidents in the neighbouring locality have caused much concern to all of us. It is a matter of satisfaction that our students have remained calm and restrained in their conduct…,” he added.

Referring to reports that the suspected militants killed in the police encounter last Friday were Jamia students, Prof. Hasan said: “The print and electronic media persisted with their disinformation campaign. Nobody from the media bothered to verify the facts from the University authorities. Nor have the police checked with me or the Proctor about the students who are on our rolls.”

On Saturday, the V-C informed Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh and senior officials in the Ministry that Jamia students had no connection with the unfortunate incidents in the Batla House locality.

‘Difficult times’

“These are, doubtless, difficult times for each one of us, but we must stand firm against the attempts to defame and malign the reputation of our University. We must maintain the secular and pluralist traditions of Jamia Millia Islamia and reiterate our commitment to the values enshrined in the Constitution and reflected in the world view of the founders of our institution,” he added.

To defend in court

Late on Monday night, Jamia Millia Islamia said it felt morally bound to defend its two students. Zia ur Rehman and Mohammad Shakeel are students of B.A. final year and M.A. final year, respectively.

“The University feels morally responsible to defend its students in a court of law until proven guilty. We will marshal our resources to provide them legal aid,” said Jamia’s media coordinator.

Jamia will hold a peace march in its neighbourhood on Wednesday.

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