Gujarat University to shift foreign students to new hostel after attack for offering namaz

Gujarat University shifts international students to new hostel after attack, sets up advisory committee, and strengthens security.

In the wake of an attack on international students at the Gujarat University hostel for offering namaz there, the authorities have decided to shift them to a new hostel and have set up a foreign student advisory committee, an official said on March 18.

The university has also directed security agencies to deploy ex-Army personnel to strengthen the security of its hostel blocks, the official said.

Two persons, identified as Hitesh Mevada and Bharat Patel, were arrested on Sunday after students hailing from different foreign countries were attacked by a group of persons in the (government-run) Gujarat University's hostel for offering namaz there.

The police have intensified efforts to nab the others accused.

The Gujarat University authorities have replaced the coordinator of its study abroad programme and NRI hostel warden with immediate effect, its Vice Chancellor Neerja Gupta said.

The university has decided to shift international students to a different hostel meant for NRI (Non-Resident Indian) students within three days and has also directed security agencies to deploy ex-Army personnel to strengthen the security of its hostel blocks, she said.

The Gujarat University has also set up a foreign student advisory committee, with the coordinator of the study abroad programme, assistant registrar of the legal cell and the university Lokpal as its members, Ms. Gupta said.