J&K: Guv to discuss student protests with VCs, stakeholders

Amid the continuing student protests in Kashmir, Governor N N Vohra has decided to hold an urgent meeting with the vice chancellors of universities and other stakeholders for action to be taken to ensure against recurring disruption of the educational system in the valley.
The decision to hold the meeting with the vice chancellors of the universities in the valley and stakeholders was taken by the Governor after meeting Education Minister Altaf Bukhari who called on him today at Raj Bhawan here.
"Bukhari briefed the Governor about the steps so far taken by the school and higher education departments and the initiatives personally taken by him to see that the students are protected from involvement in law and order incidents," an official spokesman said.

"After deliberating on the factors which have led to the involvement of students, even girls, the Governor has decided to hold an urgent meeting with the vice chancellors and other stakeholders for agreed further action being taken for ensuring against recurring disruption of the educational system in the Kashmir valley," he said.
Vohra said he was deeply disturbed by the series of recent reports on incidents involving students in situations leading to public disorder.
"He has been repeatedly stressing his concern that the educational interests of the entire student community must be vigorously advanced and selfishly protected and under no circumstances should the future careers of the student community be allowed to get exploited or compromised in any manner," the spokesman said.

The Governor has held series of meetings in connection with the maintenance of law and order and internal security since the government shifted from Jammu to Srinagar on Monday as part of Darbar move.
Besides conveying his concerns to the chief secretary and director general of police, Vohra held extensive discussion with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti yesterday in which he had particularly urged her to take all required steps for ensuring that the students community is immunised against any involvement in law and order situations.
In order to ensure that the ongoing semester of studies in schools, colleges and the universities is not affected, the Governor held discussions with educationist Vijay Dhar and Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University, Prof Khurshid Andrabi, during which he stressed the role and responsibilities of the vice chancellors, deans and the faculty in ensuring against any unhealthy influences being allowed to adversely affect the teaching schedules in the colleges and universities.