HRD team at NIT Srinagar; outstation students seek security

Action against staff involved in "anti-national" activities was also among the five demands put forth by outstation student

With tension prevailing at NIT in Srinagar, a two-member team from the Union HRD ministry today held consultation with officials of the engineering institute even as outstation students put forth five demands including action against staff involved in "anti-national" activities.

"The two-member team from the HRD ministry has arrived and is holding consultations with NIT officials," an official of the NIT said.

Read more from our special coverage on "NIT SRINAGAR"

• Students from J&K arrested, suspended by university in Rajasthan
• Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia condemn police action at NIT Srinagar
• HRD Ministry sends team to NIT campus in Srinagar
• Rajnath Singh discusses NIT, Srinagar issue with Mehbooba Mufti
• CRPF deployed at NIT Srinagar after students clash with police

A senior official said the HRD team which included Sanjeev Sharma, Director (Technical Education) in the HRD ministry and Deputy Director Finance Fazal Mehmood will also interact with the students of the institute to take stock of the situation.

"The mandate is to build confidence amongst students and assure them about their safety," the official said.

As the HRD team arrived here, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said the matter needs "tactful handling" and the state government should look into it "without back seat drivers".

"Rushing in a team from HRD ministry coupled with the CRPF replacing J&K police speaks volumes about Delhi's confidence in Mehbooba Mufti," Omar wrote on Twitter

On Friday last, the campus had witnessed clashes between local and outstation students over India's defeat in the semi-final match in the World T20 tournament.

After the clashes, the NIT authorities had shut down the institute which was reopened yesterday.

Unrest was witnessed again yesterday at the campus, with outstation students expressing a sense of insecurity and attempting to leave the campus, leading to a confrontation with police which resorted to lathicharge in which some were injured.

In a letter to the management of NIT Srinagar dated April 4, the outstation students have 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.

"National Flag should be hoisted at main gate/fountain (The state flag may be hoisted as well)," the students demanded.
The students alleged that the Jammu and Kashmir Police has not been able to provide security to them.

"(It) rather has lathicharged the students and shot tear gas shells at them. Therefore, central forces should be engaged for the security of the students of NIT Srinagar," the students demanded.

They also demanded "equality and transparency" during all examinations, events and activities held at the institute. and said "There should be no academic harassment by the faculty".

The students said action should be taken "against faculty and administration members who are involved in anti-national activities and violence".

A police official had said the students had heated arguments with the police personnel yesterday and they also allegedly shoved an officer, leading to lathicharge by the cops.

Several students were injured in police action, prompting deployment of two columns of CRPF at the campus to prevent the situation from deteriorating.