Several Kashmiri students were allegedly thrashed after refusing to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ at a college in Jammu on Thursday.
A group of Kashmiri students at Government Engineering and Technology College Jammu told over phone that their valuables, books and other goods were also thrown out by ‘goons’ and local students who barged into their rooms and thrashed them.
“We were in our hostels. Everything was peaceful. Suddenly we saw a large number of students along with locals shouting anti-Pakistan slogans,” they said.
They said these protestors straightaway barged into their hostel rooms and thrashed them.
“They forced us to chant ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ which we vehemently refused. The protestors threatened to kill us and said they have the backing of BJP and RSS,” the aggrieved students said, adding, “Several Kashmiri students were injured in the attack by goons.”
“We are not able to rush them (injured) to nearby hospitals as we fear for our lives. They will attack us if we go out,” they said.
They accused the college authorities of supporting the “unlawful assembly of goons to harass, beat and threaten Kashmiri students”.
“There is no police or any security available. We are insecure and these goons are making rounds in the campus with sharp-edged weapons,” they alleged.
Despite repeated attempts, no one responded on official landline numbers of the college.
SSP Jammu, Sunil Gupta said he had no information about the incident. In late evening however, Gupta visited the Government Engineering and Technology College Jammu to take the assessment of situation, sources said.
“The SSP visited the hostel of Kashmiri students and assured them security. The Kashmiri students asked the SSP to deploy police party in the campus to ensure their safety,” said an official.
However, the demand of students for deployment of police team was not immediately met.
“However, SSP shared some phone numbers with students and asked them to contact in case of any threat. He assured them complete safety,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kashmiri students enrolled in Yogananda College of Engineering and Technology Jammu also Thursday alleged that they were being harassed by local students.
A group of students told that local students of Jammu assembled in college campus this morning and raised anti-Pakistan slogans.
“The students raised slogans, Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Desh Ke Gadaroon Ko Joote Maro. They did all this while threatening the Kashmiri students,” said a group of Kashmiri students. “We are not safe here. College authorities have given free hand to these goons to do anything they want to in the name of so-called nationalism.”
Another group of Kashmiri female students said the protesting students made objectionable gestures towards them.
“The protesting students while pointing towards us also said Jis Thali Main Khate Hoo, Ussi Main Ched Karte Ho. We ran away before they could come close to us,” said a female student.
However, college authorities claimed Kashmiri students are “very much safe here.”
“Yes, it was a peaceful protest this morning but no one was harassed or threatened,” said Vikas, Assistant Liaison Officer of the College.
