Protests continue in Kashmir university over arrest of student

Bismah Malik

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 25

Protest at the University of Kashmir against detention of English Department student Muzammil Farooq turned violent as students clashed with the police here today.

The police later fired aerial shots and used tear gas shells to disperse the protesting students. Students reportedly resorted to stone throwing while combating the police force even as the work in the varsity remained suspended for the second day today.

The Kashmir university management has decided to suspend the class work till June 27.

As protests entered the second day, students upped the ante against the detention and sought of Muzammil’s release.

Muzammil was arrested on Monday night for allegedly leading an anti Yoga Day protest.

The girl students of the varsity are on a hunger strike since Tuesday evening .

Superintendent of Police (SP), Hazratbal , Rayees Bhat visited the campus this afternoon to pacify the agitating students, but his efforts didn’t bear the fruit.

Students alleged that the varsity authorities did nothing to ease the tension while the police used force on students.

“There was firing inside the campus but the university authorities looked on shamelessly. We haven’t heard a word of assurance from the Vice Chancellor or any of the university officials. Muzammil is innocent and we all are united in seeking his release,” said a member of the Kashmir University Students Union.

As per an official handout of the varsity, several rounds of negotiations were held with the protesting students, urging them to call off the protest.

“The Vice Chancellor took up the matter with the state Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, and sought their intervention in the matter,” stated the varsity handout.

“The students, however, refused to call off the protests and without any provocation resorted to heavy stone throwing on the administration block and damaged the university property. The university security chose to exercise maximum restraint to safeguard the student interests,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the police said Muzammil was arrested for his links with militants and his detention had nothing to do with Yoga Day celebrations.

“He was wanted in a case under FIR number 90 of the Raj Bagh police station,” the police said in a statement here.