Reports of clashes were received from some parts of Srinagar wherein students resorted to clashes with police, however situation returned to normal after police swung into action.
Student protests continued for the third consecutive day Wednesday against the thrashing of Pulwama Degree College students by government forces last Saturday.
The continuous protests by students have forced the government to suspend classes in all colleges for next two days “as a precautionary measure.”
“Teaching work in all colleges of Kashmir division shall remain suspended on April 20 and 21 as a precautionary measure,” said an order issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.
Earlier, the valley-wide student protests on Monday forced the government to close universities, colleges and higher secondary schools on Tuesday.
On Wednesday the class work in Kashmir University (KU) and colleges remained suspended on government orders, however the KU examinations were conducted as per schedule today.
Reports of clashes were received from some parts of Srinagar wherein students resorted to clashes with police, however situation returned to normal after police swung into action.
Students of Nawakadal college staged a protest demonstration against beating of students by government forces.
Jamatul Aima Wal Ulma also staged protest demonstration against the recent civilian killings and forces’ action against students of Pulwama College. Various leaders of the religious organization assembled at Press Enclave here and held silent protest.
“The situation in Kashmir is grim. Forces have unleashed terror and Kashmir has become a place where anybody can be killed for a reason or for no reason,” they said.
The protestors condemned the force action on Pulwama students and said “unnecessary force” against innocent students must be stopped.
“The educational institutions have been turned into battle field. Students are lathicharged, teargas shells, pava shells and pellets are being used against them. We strongly condemn this,” they said.
The religious organization asked the joint resistance leadership to modify its policies. “We support all programmes of Hurriyat leadership and stand with them. However, we feel that there is a need for some modifications to take the ongoing struggle to its logical conclusion,” they said.
Student staged protests on Wednesday in Ganderbal district against the thrashing of Pulwama college students. The students of Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Kangan marched on roads in solidarity with the students of Pulwama College.
Reports said the students assembled outside the school premises and marched through Kangan market and staged a sit-in at main chowk.
Later Police swung into action and chased away the protesting students.
The district administration Ganderbal decided to close Government Degree College Ganderbal (GDC) and GDC Kangan for next two days.
“The twin colleges in the district will remain closed for next two days,” Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Tariq Hussain Ganie said.
Meanwhile, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kangan Zahoor Ahmad ordered closure of two HSSs in Kangan for the day.
“The two higher secondary schools will remain closed today as precautionary measure to avoid trouble,” he said.
Muhammad Omar SDPO Kangan said the situation was completely under control in the area except a minor incident of stone pelting. “Nobody was injured in the incident,” he said.
NORTH KASHMIR:
Clashes broke out between students and police at several places in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Students from Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Palhallan took out a protest march in morning towards Srinagar-Baramulla highway. However, the police which was deployed in the area swung into action and chased the protesting students, triggering clashes.
Clashes continued for several hours in the area and Police lobbed scores of tear gas shells during these clashes.
Students from GHSS Bomai in Sopore also staged a protest demonstration however they were not allowed by police to march in the area which resulted in clashes between protesting students and police.
Eyewitnesses said the Police lobbed scores of teargas shells to disperse the agitating youths.
Students from GHSS Delina during the morning hours took out a protest march towards Srinagar-Baramulla highway, resulting in traffic gridlock.
However the traffic was immediately restored by the Police as they resorted to tear gas shelling on protesting students.
Reports of student protests were also received from Qalamabad area in Handwara. Students of GHSS Qalamabad staged a protest demonstration and were demanding action against the cops involved in thrashing of students in Pulwama College.
In Bandipora, students of HSS and several Middle Schools in Ajas staged protest demonstrations and blocked the Bandipora-Srinagar highway.
The protesting students were shouting pro-freedom and anti-government slogans. The students of HSS Nadihal also staged a demonstration against the use of force on the students of GDC Pulwama. Later, class work was suspended in HSS Nadihal for the day.
Meanwhile, Teaching work in all colleges of Kashmir division shall remain suspended on April 20 and 21 as a precautionary measure, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir said on Wednesday.
