Srinagar's NIT unrest: Hoist national flag at campus, demand students

Image courtesy- ANI

Srinagar: Unrest was witnessed again at National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar after a group of students clashed with police on Tuesday. 

As per the reports, unrest flattered in the campus again on Tuesday a group of NIT students marched to the gates of the institute on Tuesday shouting slogans against the administration. According to a police official, the protesting NIT students wanted to leave the campus but were stopped by the cops which led to a confrontation between the students and the policemen. 

The police claimed that they had to resort to lathicharge to bring the situation at the campus under control but denied that any student was hospitalised after the incident as the injuries they received were minor. 

On the other hand, the non-local Kashmiri students have accused police of using excessive force on them while they were taking out a silent march against some campus issues. 

Tension mounted between locals and non-locals students at NIT on March 31 night over the issue of India and West Indies match when some local students apparently shouted and celebrated India's loss in the World T20 match. It led to a clash between two student groups after which police personnel were deployed in the campus.

The NIT was closed by the authorities on March 31 following the row. The institute resumed normal functioning on Tuesday, but ended the day in chaos.

In a letter to the management of NIT Srinagar dated April 4, the outstation students listed five demands that, they feel, would enable them to peacefully reside at the campus and concentrate on their studies.

"Due to the anti-national activities rising in campus premises, students not local to Srinagar have faced serious problems as well as life threats. Due to the cold situation here, students are eager to reach their homes," the letter said.

The demands made by the students before the university administration are as follows: 

1. National Flag should be hoisted at main gate/fountain at the Srinagar's NIT campus along with other state's flags.

2. Central forces should be engaged for the security of the students of Srinagar NIT as Jammu and Kashmir Police have not been able to provide security to them. 

3. Equality and transparency be maintained during all examinations, events and activities held at the institute and there should be no academic harassment by the faculty. 

4. Action to be taken against faculty and administration members who were involved in anti-national activities and violence in the campus.

5. The management must arrange for permanent security for students at NIT from miscreants who pelted stone at them during the clash on March 31 over India-West Indies World T20 cricket match.

Meanwhile, Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed and all examinations have been called off at the college for now.