Bab-e-Syed gate of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), in Aligarh. (Express photo by Ravi Kanojia/Files) Bab-e-Syed gate of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), in Aligarh. (Express photo by Ravi Kanojia/Files)

Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has expelled a research scholar from Jammu & Kashmir’s Kupwara region after the varsity suspected of having links with terror group Hizbul Mujahideen after a photograph of the student appeared on social media with him holding an AK-47 rifle.

Varsity officials also sealed the room of 26-year-old Mannan Bashir Wani at AMU’s Mohammad Habib Hall following reports of his alleged involvement in “highly objectionable activities, which can hamper the peaceful academic atmosphere and create disharmony,” AMU said. The action was undertaken after officials recieved a letter from Supretendent of Police, Aligarh, about the alleged “nefarious” activities of Wani.

Professor M Mohsin Khan, Proctor, AMU, said that since Wani has breached the ‘AMU Students’ Conduct and Discipline Rules, 1985’, the matter was placed before Professor Tariq Mansoor, the Vice Chancellor of the university.

“Taking into account the gravity of the offence, the Vice Chancellor has ordered Wani to be expelled from the rolls of the University with immediate effect till pending enquiry,” Khan said, adding that AMU campus and its maintained institutions are also placed out of bounds for Wani.

The Proctor made it clear that the varsity has zero tolerance towards such activities and accords top priority to national security. He added that AMU will give full support and cooperation to police and investigative agencies.

Wani was a researcher in the Department of Geology and was last present in his department on January 2, according to AMU officials, who said that the university has initiated an inquiry into the matter and intensified security checks including in all its hostels in view of the incident.

According to officials, Wani had left for his hometown shortly before the begining of winter break at AMU on January 6.

A senior varsity official said that prior to the police department’s letter, the university had not received any intimation from the student’s family that he had not arrived at his home after leaving Aligarh.

Suspicion over Wani’s antecedents was triggered after his photograph showing him holding a gun appeared on various social media sites. It was suspected that the scholar from Tikipora in Lolab area might have joined the Hizbul Mujahideen.

However, police in Jammu and Kashmir said it was too early to confirm if Wani had joined militancy. A police official said Wani’s last known location was Delhi few days earlier and they are ascertaining where he went after that.

Khan said nothing whatsoever suggesting that Wani was in any way involved in radical activities had come to their notice before this episode. The inquiry committee would, however, fully probe this matter, he said.

Khan said that even before the incident came to light, the University Vice Chancellor, Tariq Mansoor, had issued a directive to the security staff to step up vigil on all entry and exit points of the university.

Checking of identity cards of all youths entering the campus and different hostels had also been intensified.

Khan said that university authorities have also decided to conduct surprise checks in different hostels of the university during night hours to ensure that no external elements, including expelled students, are taking shelter in hostels in connivance with any of the inmates.

A weekly check of all video footage of close circuit television will henceforth be undertaken to keep a vigil.

(With PTI inputs)

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