Union minister Ram Shanker Katheria caught in Agra university crossfire, escapes unhurt

AGRA: Union minister Ram Shanker Katheria was caught in a crossfire between rival student groups on Tuesday when a bullet fired by one at the other landed metres away from him as he stepped out of his residence in the Agra university campus. Police have begun investigations and are on the hunt for the students involved in the incident.

Katheria, the Agra MP who's also the junior HRD minister at the centre, was about to board his SUV along with his security staff when the firing took place.

Ashok Kumar Singh, circle officer of Hariparvat station, who rushed to the spot on being alerted about it, said, "Prima facie it seems to be an old enmity between the accused (an NSUI member) and the victim (an ABVP student), which resulted in the incident. The minister is safe and we have started investigations."

According to sources, a former student, Durgesh Thakur, who graduated in 2011, had come to meet Katheria when the shot was fired. "I was waiting outside the minister's residence for his recommendation letter when National Student Union of India leader Manish Gautam along with group of aides attacked me with a hockey stick without any provocation. When I resisted, Manish fired shots at me from his countrymade pistol but fortunately missed, " he alleged. "After seeing the minister's guards, the assailants drove away."

An infuriated Katheria said, "The young lad was mercilessly beaten up by a group of assailants. In a bid to save himself, the youth ran towards me but the assailant fired two shots at us, which could have hit me. This culture of inclination towards arms among students is dangerous and a serious matter of concern. We, as the government, teachers and parents have to really introspect and bring out major reforms to stop this and ensure students carry only books, not weapons, in university and college premises."

Even as an FIR in the case was being lodged at the New Agra police station, Thakur, an accused in a murder case who's out on bail, said, "In my written complaint, I have mentioned the names of NSUI leaders Manish Gautam, Amit Singh, Ajit Gautam and Dharmendar Chahar." Asked about it, Agra university registrar Kailash Nath Singh said, "The incident happened because of those students who are more inclined towards politics than studies. Some habitual miscreants who somehow have managed to take admission are nurturing their future in politics in the name of student elections."