Intense clashes erupted between students of Government Degree College Ganderbal and police on Monday after pro-Pakistan protests by the students, leaving several injured.
Eyewitnesses and reports said that students Monday morning assembled in the college premises and burst firecrackers to celebrate Pakistan cricket team’s win against India in ICC Champion Trophy Final.
Raising slogans, the students tried to come out of the college premises to march into the streets, however police immediately reached the spot and used force on the students, triggering clashes between the two sides.
Reports said that police used lathicharge and teargas shells to disperse the protesting students, the ding dong battles continued till evening.
Eyewitnesses and reports said that several policemen as well as the students sustained injuries during the clashes.
Sources said that about a dozen students of the college have been detained by police after the incident.
Senior Superintendent of Police Ganderbal, Fayaz Ahmad Lone, told Kashmir Post that police didn’t allow students to come on streets ‘to maintain law and order,’ adding that several students of the college who were part of the protests have been detained.
The SSP said that several policemen were injured in the clashes.
In view of the situation, the district administration has decided to close the college on Tuesday.
“The college will remain closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure following Monday’s incident, ” Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Dr Piyush Singhla, told Kashmir Post.
He said the decision has been taken after consultation with the college authorities.
