'Murder' a rude shock for varsity

Panic gripped the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Wednesday after an undergraduate student attacked his classmate and killed himself. HT reports.

Panic gripped the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Wednesday after an undergraduate student attacked his classmate and killed himself.

The JNU campus is known as for its safety as students roam around freely across the green premises all times. There is no time restriction for hostel scholars and many canteens remain open throughout the night.

The incident came as a rude shock for the students and faculty members of the university -- the first institution in India to start common hostels for men and women.

"The entire university community is deeply shocked and grieved by this very unfortunate and unprecedented incident. The university is known for its harmonious and peaceful relations among the various sections of its community. The university has started the process of consultation to build confidence among the students, especially women scholars," said a statement issued by the university authorities.

According to teachers associated with JNU for a long time, such a gruesome incident is a first in the campus.

There have been some incidents of violence in the past and some brawls between student groups and individuals but no one was murdered on the campus, they said.