A machete-wielding youth barged into the cabin of the principal of Anjuman Khairul Islam’s Poona college of arts, commerce and science and threatened him of dire consequences if he was not given admission in Class 11.
The incident sent shock waves across the college as the youth entered the campus, armed with a sharp-edged weapon.
College principal Anwar Shaikh, in his FIR lodged with the Cantonment police, said Faroque Shaikh alias Guddu alias Murga, took out a machete and kept in the table as he demanded admission in the college.
According to the FIR, the ‘aspirant said the principal should be prepared for what might happen if he was not given admission and then banged the weapon, smashing the glass sheet covering the table. “He appeared to be a very professional criminal, who wanted to spread terror in the ranks of college administration and teachers for getting admission,” said the principal.
College administration believes that agents, mostly comprising criminals, could be behind the incident as their business of illegal admissions had been affected drastically due to transparency brought in by Shaikh.
Shaikh’s strict functioning based on merit and accountability has not gone down well with the criminal groups from Kasewadi, Lohianagar, Camp, and other places, who used to get admissions easily in the college earlier by threatening the lives of college administrators, say college staffers. He has been facing serious challenges from criminals trying to re-establish their sway, they added.
{{/usCountry}}Shaikh’s strict functioning based on merit and accountability has not gone down well with the criminal groups from Kasewadi, Lohianagar, Camp, and other places, who used to get admissions easily in the college earlier by threatening the lives of college administrators, say college staffers. He has been facing serious challenges from criminals trying to re-establish their sway, they added.
{{/usCountry}}But the principal is undeterred.
“I am not going back down on transparency and will fight against the admission mafia with all my strength. We are following the law and order of the state government. Criminals will not be allowed in the college, come what may. We appeal to the citizens and academic fraternity to remain strong against these elements who are a serious menace to the society and threat to the lives of residents, ” he said.
Meanwhile police inspector Digambar Shinde said: “Investigations are on and we will arrest the accused soon.”