Aligarh Muslim University Hit Big-Time By COVID, More Than 40 Present And Retired Staffers Dead
Aligarh, May 9 (TNA) The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) one of the most prestigious educational institutes of India has been hit big time by the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. According to officials "more than 40 serving and retired faculty members, plus several non-teaching staffers of the varsity" have so far succumbed to Covid-19. A large number of staffers are under treatment at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College hospital of the AMU.
The number of deaths could be much higher, but the university officials could not give the exact numbers. The campus is deserted and there are no classes. Most hostellers have left, said Zeeshan, an official of the university.
Several faculty members have left Aligarh. One member, now in Tamil Nadu, said “in addition to the pandemic spreading its wings wide, there was a total psychological breakdown, despair and also a degree of disgust.” Quite a few retired faculty members who left Aligarh have died in their home towns like Bhopal, Hyderabad.
Jasim has sought critical information from the VC through an RTI. He has asked the VC about the shortages of medicines, Oxygen, ambulances etc. Locals allege that the university administration despite all the resources, has been caught napping. No special mechanism or arrangements have been put in place. Due to the fear of infection, people are shunning going to the medical college for vaccination.
“The fear is rampant all over. The winds of despair and gloom sweep the campus. The central government should step in and control the worsening situation,” says a local student. So far it is not clear how many of the deceased were vaccinated, though it is widely accepted that there have been a few deaths due to Covid-morbidities and age.
Each day, the graph is going up. The vice-chancellor Tariq Mansoor lost his elder brother a few days ago. On Saturday, the dean of the Law faculty died.
According to the district administration, on May 8, there were 417 fresh cases, 295 were discharged. Local medical circles confirmed the situation was really alarming. However, in conformity to the lockdown regulations announced by the Government of Uttar Pradesh to curb the Covid spread, the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and its maintained institutions will remain closed till May 16.
“However, the essential services including medical services, sanitation, electricity, water supply, residential hall services, Central Automobile Workshop, Telephone Department, Department of Land and Gardens, Proctor’s Office and Computer Centre, will continue to work as per the direction of the heads of the concerned department or office”, stated a notification by AMU Registrar, Abdul Hamid (IPS).