Hundreds of students return amid fear

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 22

Hundreds of Kashmiri students who returned home amid fear of mob attacks in parts of the country in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack are now in a dilemma.

A 23-year-old woman from Srinagar, who returned from Haryana where she was pursuing her graduation, said she feared going back.

“We were targeted just because we are Kashmiri. We did not want to study in the Valley because of curfews and hartals on a daily basis. Given the current situation, we all fear for our life. We don’t know where to go,” she said.

Zahid Ahmad, another student from Pattan, said he fled his university in Himachal Pradesh after attacks on Valley students. He was pursuing BTech from a private college and is now unsure if about continuing his course.

“I have never taken part in any political discussion. I always focused on my studies, but now, the situation is not safe for any of us. Around 3,000 students have come back home and all of them are traumatised. If we are sure of our safety, how can we go back?” he said. “I was in my last semester. This is a big blow to my career,” said Zahid.

Parents are equally fearful.

The J&K authorities say they have talked to other states regarding the safety of students from Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have talked to the authorities and have been assured about everyone’s safety,” said Adviser Vijay Kumar.

The Private Schools’ Association of Kashmir, at a press conference on Friday, said the authorities should come up with some out-of-the-box solution as the situation had put the career of thousands of students at stake.

“I request all institutions to act responsibly and help students from Kashmir,” said GN War, president of the association.

I have never taken part in any political discussion and always focused on my studies. Now, the situation is not safe for any of us. Around 3,000 students have come back home and all of them are traumatised. If we are not sure of our safety, how can we go back? I was in my last semester. This is a big blow to my career.— Zahid Ahmad, Student