In response to the attack on international students at the Gujarat University hostel during their namaz, authorities have taken significant steps to ensure their safety and address the issue. The university has decided to relocate these students to a new hostel within three days, designated for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) students, and established a foreign student advisory committee to address their concerns effectively. Moreover, security measures have been bolstered by deploying ex-Army personnel to safeguard the hostel blocks.
Following the incident, two individuals, identified as Hitesh Mevada and Bharat Patel, were apprehended on Sunday, while efforts have been intensified to apprehend other assailants involved. Additionally, the coordinator of the study abroad program and the NRI hostel warden have been replaced with immediate effect, as confirmed by Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta.
An investigation is currently underway, utilizing technical surveillance and other methods, to apprehend the remaining suspects involved in the assault. The incident resulted in the hospitalization of two students, one from Sri Lanka and another from Tajikistan, prompting the registration of an FIR against 20-25 unidentified assailants under various IPC provisions.
To ensure thorough investigation, nine teams have been formed to probe the incident, as announced by Police Commissioner GS Malik. Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, has convened a meeting with police officers, instructing them to undertake strict and judicial action in response to the assault.
Police Commissioner Malik revealed that around 300 international students, including those from Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, and African countries, are enrolled at Gujarat University, with nearly 75 of them residing in the A-block hostel where the incident occurred. VC Gupta confirmed that the altercation involved clashes between two groups within the premises of the A-block hostel, resulting in injuries to some international students.
Also read: Gujarat: Government investigates student namaz in school program amid protests
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