Outstation students at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Srinagar today decided to continue their agitation, saying the authorities had failed to fulfil their demands.
The protesting final-year students met on the campus and decided not to end the agitation till major demands were met and they were given full assurances by the administration.
“The meeting continued for two hours and we decided to continue the agitation till our demands are met,” said one of the students who did not want to be named. He added that they were not satisfied with the government’s approach towards the issue so far.
Section 144 continued to remain in force in and around the campus to prevent the protest. However, the students took out a protest march in the evening to press for their demands.
“We were not allowed to gather in the lawns, but after a meeting, we protested. Excessive force was used on us some days ago. The officials should be booked. Nothing has been done so far,” said another student.
Officials issued a notice to the students who wanted to go home, saying their exams would be held later. Students’ representatives said they would submit the application en masse for permission to go home, which had been signed by 1,700 students so far.
“Till the time we are here, we will continue to boycott classes. Even if we go home, we will not come back till our demands are met with full assurances,” said one of the students leading the agitation.
The college administration had been trying to reach out to students to defuse the tension. They said a student grievance redress system had been notified, which would address issues like their marking and evaluation on priority.
“Students expressed the apprehension that their grading would be adversely affected due to the unrest in the college. We are making sure that their problems are addressed,” said an official at the institute.
Under pressure to end the crisis, the government had ordered a time-bound inquiry. However, it ruled out any possibility of shifting the campus from Kashmir, which continues to be one of the major demands of the non-local students.
Trouble began at the institute after some students celebrating India’s defeat in the World T20 allegedly threw stones at the NIT hostel. The following day, a group clash ensued and the NIT was closed.
NIT Students to continue protest, Section 144 remains in force
