Video: AP cop assaults medical student during protest demanding holidays

What started out as a peaceful protest by medical college students in Andhra Pradesh asking for summer holidays turned ugly after one of the female students was assaulted by a policeman. Students of Alluri Sitarama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences (ASRAMS) in Eluru began protesting against the college after they were denied summer holidays by the college administration. The administrators allegedly called the police to ‘control’ the students, which is when things took a turn.

A video during the protest shows a group of female students, whose faces are wrapped in a dupatta approaching a police officer and speaking to him. During the confrontation, another man dressed in mufti, later identified to be a police driver, is seen taking a video with a cell phone, even as the students say, “no photos”.

One of the women snatches the phone from him and a policewoman reacts by trying to grab the mobile phone from her hand. Within seconds, the man is seen grabbing the girl and pulling her close to him in a very aggressive manner. She is then quickly whisked away by the police and the college administration.

Such brutal assault by cops and college management at ASRAMS in AP! Absolutely ridiculous reaction because students asked for holidays!! pic.twitter.com/N1epCC2RDO

— the awkwardist (@nimeshika_j) May 2, 2019

The student was then allegedly isolated from the other students for a few hours and threatened by the college management. “They told her that they would file an FIR against her and that she would face dire consequences if she didn’t keep quiet,” alleged one student who added that they had all covered their faces as the college was harassing students for taking part in the protest.

“An officer took a video of her as she was crying and spoke harshly to her. They told her that now her life was over and that there was no use in her degree. They also alleged that three male students were assaulted by police. “Another male student was also taken aside by the police and they spoke to him in a rash and unparliamentary manner,” added another student.

When TNM asked the Eluru DSP about the incident, he merely said, “There was a policewoman there, please see the video properly. They just grabbed the phone from her hand and the student happened to get hurt.”

Taking cognisance of the issue, Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) condemned the behaviour of the college administration and the police. Chairman of the association, Dr PS Vijayender said they that the association was demanding for immediate action and punishment to be taken and also appealed to the Medical Council of India (MCI) to take strict action against the colleges. TJUDA has written to the Governor seeking his intervention in the issue. 

TNM tried to contact the administration at ASRAMS but despite repeated attempts was not able to get through.