College Student Shot Dead on Varanasi Campus; Violence Sparks Safety Concerns

Varanasi: A 23-year-old college student was shot dead by a fellow student inside a campus in Varanasi on Friday, raising serious concerns over campus safety and student security. The incident, which police say stemmed from a personal dispute, triggered unrest and clashes within the institution.

The victim, Surya Pratap Singh, a fourth-semester BA student at Uday Pratap College, was shot at around 11 am in a corridor of the social sciences faculty building. Eyewitnesses reported that the आरोपी, Manjeet Chauhan, opened fire at close range.

According to police, the assailant fired four rounds, striking Singh in the head and chest. He then fled the scene, reportedly scaling a boundary wall after discarding the weapon in a nearby garbage area. The firearm has since been recovered by authorities.

Singh was initially rushed to a private hospital in Maldahiya and later transferred to the BHU Trauma Centre, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment. A native of Ghazipur, he had been residing in Varanasi for his studies and was described by peers as a bright and well-regarded student.

Family’s Reaction and Rising Tensions

At the postmortem facility, Singh’s father expressed profound grief and demanded strict action against the accused, stating that the last rites would not be performed until justice was delivered. Following a tense standoff with authorities, the body was later taken to the family residence in Shivpur.

Singh is survived by his parents, Rishidev Singh and Kiran Singh—both employed at Atulanand School—and two sisters. He was the only son in the family.

Campus Unrest and Violence

The incident sparked protests across the college campus, with agitated students locking the main gate and damaging property. Several vehicles were vandalised, and at least three faculty members were reportedly assaulted during the unrest.

One teacher sustained a head injury and was hospitalised under police protection. A heavy deployment of security personnel was made as tensions escalated, with police escorting staff members to safety.

Investigation Underway

Varanasi Police Commissioner Mohit Agarwal stated that preliminary findings indicate the shooting resulted from personal enmity between the students.

A case has been registered against Manjeet Chauhan and his associate, Anuj Thakur, who was reportedly present at the scene. Police are examining CCTV footage and conducting search operations to apprehend the accused, who remains at large.

The incident has reignited debate around safety protocols and conflict management within educational institutions.