NIT - Srinagar row reverberates in Jammu college

A "provocative" Facebook post over the NIT -Srinagar issue by a Kashmiri student led to a scuffle between Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri students at a private college here on Tuesday.

A section of Kashmiri students at the Model Institute of Engineering and Technology (MIET) alleged they were beaten up by non-Kashmiri students.

Following the fracas, the authorities declared MIET shut till next Monday.

The trouble began after a senior Kashmiri student of the engineering institute wrote a "provocative" post on his Facebook account on Sunday. The message was shared on Whatsapp and led to an argument between Kashmiri and non-Kashmiri students.

On Tuesday, the Kashmiri students alleged they were beaten up by other students.

"There was an argument going on between us (Kashmiris and non-Kashmiris) over the NIT - Srinagar issue. But soon, the non-Kashmiris in dozens came and beat us up," a student who declined to be named told IANS.

"Girls were threatened with rape and were also abused," he alleged.

Another student who was present when the incident happened told IANS, "They came in large numbers and spotted Kashmiri students. One of the students was beaten very badly."

However, MIET director Ankur Gupta denied that any student was beaten. "Nobody was beaten. Some students had hurt sentiments of others, which resulted in an argument," Gupta told IANS.

"The police are on the campus now. The situation is under control," he added.