After week-long protests, KU student released on bail

Bismah Malik

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 30

Kashmir university student Muzammil Farooq, who was detained on June 22, was released on bail today.

Muzammil’s detention had triggered massive protests on the university campus and a showdown between students and management.

After remaining suspended for the last week, regular class work will start at the varsity from tomorrow.

The Tribune on Monday had reported that Kashmir University Vice Chancellor Khurseed Andrabi had reportedly taken up the matter with the higher ups in the police and Muzammil could be released.

Muzammil, who hails from Pulwama district of south Kashmir, is a scholar at the English Department of the varsity. He was arrested by the police on June 22 night.

The students had alleged that Muzammil was detained as he was leading an anti-Yoga Day protest.

However, the police had negated the accusation and said Muzammil had some “militant connections”.

For the past one week, the university campus was rocked by massive protests against Muzammil’s arrest with girl students going on a hunger strike.

Fearing more protests, the Kashmir university management had cracked down on the protesters and had directed around 1,500 students staying in varsity hostels to leave.

The banned Kashmir University Students Union, mainstream political parties, including the National Conference and Congress, and separatist groups like the All Parties Hurriyat Conference were rallying behind the students and had condemned the university authorities and the state government for “mistreating students” and “suppressing their voices”.

The varsity authorities on Monday had called parents of 16 students, who according to them had participated in the protests.

A senior official wishing anonymity said the university was in fact mulling not to take any strict action against the protesting students.

“It will be more of counseling for the students who always take the protest path. We were hoping to tell their parents that they should cooperate in making the varsity atmosphere conducive for academics. But parents of only one student turned up,” the official said.