Reporter’s Diary: Overhyped agitation sees unexpected end, shocks journos, police

There were over 30 journalists and even more police persons guarding the gates of the campus. As soon as they heard shouts of protest from the end of the road, the men in uniform and camera persons rushed to the spot, only to find not more than four protesters raising slogans against the issue. While the protesters walked towards the college campus gates raising their hands in agitation, camera persons walked alongside, and police persons formed a circle around them. The protest lasted barely 15 minutes and fizzled out, during which time the roads were blocked. 

With no purpose to serve, the four vehicles - including a public bus and a van - which were kept ready to take the protesters to the police station, returned empty. The police who had refrained from allowing persons entering and exiting the campus until the protest came to an end eventually received flak from students and the public as they felt the entire routine unnecessary.