Kerala student among victims as 5 attacked in MP campus assault; complaint names right-wing group

Five students were brutally attacked in broad daylight inside the campus of Dr Hari Singh Gour University in Madhya Pradesh’s Sagar district, triggering concern over campus security.

The assault, carried out by unidentified assailants, took place between 1.20 pm and 1.30 pm on Monday when the university was bustling with students. The Civil Lines police station is located barely a kilometre from the premises.

An FIR was lodged at Civil Lines police station later that evening. No arrests have been made so far.

Attack in broad daylight

According to the FIR, the injured students are Hari Ayyappan, Bittu Mahto, Narayan Shukla, Shukhram Yadav and Ankit Shah.

The complaint was filed by Hari Ayyappan, a Kerala resident pursuing a BA (Hons) and staying in a campus hostel. In his statement, Ayyappan said he identified two of the attackers — Kapil Swami and Avinash Gupta — who are allegedly linked to a right-wing group.

“As we were on our way to meet the university proctor, we noticed a large crowd gathered near a tree. When we reached there, around 8-10 people suddenly attacked us,” Ayyappan stated in the FIR.

He alleged the group abused them, pushed them to the ground and assaulted them with sticks, plastic pipes and other objects. The attackers allegedly issued threats before fleeing in vehicles — a car bearing registration number MP-11 T5553 and a Royal Enfield motorcycle numbered MP-15MV7713.

Accused named, no arrests yet

Police have named Kapil Swami and Avinash Gupta, both residents of Sagar, in the FIR. Officials said efforts are underway to trace the accused.

Despite the incident occurring inside the campus and involving hostel students, the university administration has not issued a formal statement. Attempts to contact Dean Yashvanth Thakur went unanswered. University proctor Chanda Bain declined to comment, stating she was with the students at the time.

Videos surface, probe continues

Videos circulating on social media show students being assaulted and pleading for help. In one clip, a student is heard saying, “Sir, we are students. They are beating us. Please protect us.”

Last week, members of the AISF allegedly faced disruption while organising a programme on “Sex Education”, during which posters and banners — including those featuring Bhagat Singh and Hari Singh Gour — were reportedly vandalised.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and further action will follow based on evidence and witness statements.