Will not shy away from using options if 5 JNU students don't co-operate: BK Bassi

Delhi Police will not "shy away" in using its options if the five JNU students who resurfaced in the campus fail to cooperate with the investigators, Commissioner B S Bassi today said.

"There is no doubt that seditious speeches and slogans were raised in the event concerned. We also know that some involved in it, who went absconding soon after, have now returned.

"At this point, there is no imminent threat to life and property, for which we are working with patience. For every job we do, our tactics are dynamic," Bassi said.

He further said, "Today, we can afford to wait for them (the five students) to regain some 'sadbuddhi' (better sense) and cooperate with the police."

"If we feel that they are unlikely to abide by the law, we have options available and we will not shy away from using them," the police chief added.

The five JNU students, including Umar Khalid, whom the police were looking out for across cities, resurfaced in the university's campus on Sunday night but the police have not arrested them yet.

In an apparent U-turn in the police's approach in the case, senior officials now say that they are waiting for the students to surrender on their own and also expect the JNU authorities to persuade them in doing so.

Bassi had yesterday said that the final call will be taken by the investigating officer of the case and whether to enter the university's campus or not will be the decision of DCP (South) Prem Nath who is heading the probe.

Police had registered a case of sedition in connection with the event held at Jawaharlal Nehru University campus, to mark the death anniversary of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, in which anti-national slogans were allegedly raised.

On February 12, the police arrested JNU Students Union president Kanhaiya Kumar in connection with the case and started a search operation for others.

Image credit: Indiatimes