PRAYAGRAJ, Aug. 14 -- A section of students staged a protest at Allahabad University (AU) on Thursday against fee hike and reduction in seats, with members of NSUI's university unit gheraoing the vice-chancellor's office. The protesters began gathering at the library gate around noon and marched towards the vice-chancellor's office. Police and security personnel tried to stop them, but some protesters allegedly forced their way into campus despite being stopped. During the ensuing commotion, two groups of protesters also clashed and jostled with each other. A student fell to ground and sustained injuries, according to accounts of the incident. AU PRO Prof Jaya Kapoor said the NSUI had given a call to gherao the vice-chancellor's office. She said some miscreants, who were not university students, forcibly entered the campus despite being stopped by security guards and police personnel. She added that the two groups of protesters subsequently clashed, leading to pushing and scuffling among them. According to her, the protesters later submitted a joint memorandum to the Dean of Students' Welfare and the proctor. The protesting students, however, alleged that the university administration was not taking their concerns seriously. They demanded immediate withdrawal of the fee hike and reversal of decision to reduce seats. NSUI leader Saurabh Singh Geharwar alleged that the democratic atmosphere on the campus was weakening. Instead of addressing students' grievances, he alleged, action such as suspension and registration of FIRs was being taken against those participating in protests. The protesters also raised concerns over drinking water, toilets and other basic facilities in women's hostels. They said memorandums had earlier been submitted to the university administration regarding these issues, but no effective action had been taken. The students demanded action against security personnel in connection with the injured student, besides restoration of the reduced seats, withdrawal of the fee hike and improvement of basic facilities in hostels. The protesters also submitted a joint memorandum to the dean of students' welfare and the proctor. They warned that the agitation would continue if the university administration failed to take positive decisions on their demands soon....