Clash breaks out between lawyers and students clash in Jabalpur:Over 100 youths allegedly storm SAI hostel with hockey sticks

A violent clash broke out between lawyers and students residing at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) hostel located inside the Ranitail Stadium complex in Jabalpur on late Sunday night. What began as a dispute quickly escalated into large-scale violence, vandalism, and assault, leaving several people injured. According to preliminary information, more than 100 youths allegedly entered the youth hostel armed with hockey sticks and baseball bats, damaging property and attacking occupants. Hostel manager alleges brutal attack Youth hostel manager R.K. Parihar said the incident occurred between 10 and 11 pm. He alleged that a large group forcibly broke the main gate lock and entered the hostel. “They went room to room with hockey sticks, assaulting students and vandalising property for nearly two hours. Anyone who came in front of them was attacked,” Parihar said. He added that some lawyers were also part of the group involved in the vandalism. “Had I come in front of them, I could have been killed. Everyone was extremely aggressive,” he claimed. Lawyers’ version: Drunken students started the fight Lawyer Sampurna Tiwari offered a different account, stating that the District Bar Association and High Court lawyers were organising a cricket league at Ranitail ground. He alleged that when lawyer Anshul Patel was leaving the stadium, some SAI hostel students who were allegedly intoxicated attacked him. Two lawyers sustained injuries in the incident. Tiwari further claimed that Rs 2,000 was snatched from Anshul Patel and that his head was slammed against a car during the assault. He accused the hostel management of negligence for allowing outsiders to gather and trigger violence. Police action and investigation underway Following the incident, police teams from Lordganj and Omti police stations, along with the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), reached the spot. ASP Ayush Gupta confirmed that a dispute had occurred between SAI hostel students and lawyers. “CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined to identify the accused. Some individuals have already been identified, and the investigation is ongoing,” he said. Police have registered an FIR against those involved in the assault and vandalism and are conducting searches to apprehend the accused.