Normalcy restored at Srinagar NIT

Dr. Rajat Gupta, the director of Srinagar's National Institute of Technology, on Saturday assured the students, faculty and parents that the present situation arising out of tensions from disappointment at the outcome of the Indian cricket team's defeat in the World T20 semi-final on March 31 has been overcome.

He assured all concerned that there is no cause for apprehension and said the students are safe and secure at the NIT campus.

The situation in the campus and at the hostels was restored to normal and academic activities would resume on Monday.

The district administration and local authorities had extended their cooperation to bring the situation under control.

All programmes in the institution will take place as scheduled, including the 'National Research Scholar Conclave' to be held on April 2 and 3 respectively.

Earlier, tension was simmering in the NIT after India lost the World T20 semi-final to West Indies on Thursday night.

Some engineering students from outside the state claimed Kashmiri students had chanted anti-India slogans and burst firecrackers after India lost.

To control the situation, officials closed the institute's entrance and did not allow anyone to enter.

The police had to be called in after efforts by the NIT officials to control the situation and disperse the crowd failed. The police baton charged the protestors and fired teargas to bring the situation under control.