Barely two months after 60 Kashmiri students were expelled from Meerut University for cheering on the Pakistan team; three Kashmiri students from Noida International University (NIU) have alleged assault by fellow students, drawing a sharp reaction from Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who said UP authorities should admit their “inability” or “unwillingness” to protect them.
A visit from Principal Resident Commissioner of J&K lokash Kumar Jha on Monday though helped ease tension and iron out the differences as he met Kashmiri students and assured them of their safety and security.
Meanwhile, the administration has expelled two of its students — Hirank Tiwari and Sudhir Chauhan — for unprovoked behaviour. A senior university official confirmed the news that Kashmiri students have been moved to Royal Residency hostel from the earlier Shiv Shakti hostel.
“We had asked the students to hand over their complaints so that we could initiate disciplinary action. We have now created a committee to probe the issue. We have also moved police on behalf of the written complaint,” said Dewadesh Sharma, Registrar, NIU.
A Kashmiri student, who is studying at the Noida International University, said a group of five-six drunken boys allegedly thrashed and abused them. “They knocked at my door late night. When I did not answer, they barged in. They were five-six drunken boys standing outside. They started abusing us and then asked who amongst us were Kashmiris. “When I told them that there were three of us who are Kashmiris, they started abusing us and thrashed us. This has happened before,” the Kashmiri student alleged. The student alleged that the fellow students “asked us to shout India Zindabad and then asked us to repeat Pakistan Murdabad”. “When I asked them why I should do it, they abused us again and called me a terrorist,” the student alleged.
On Sunday, the Kashmiri students of NIU staged a protest after an altercation between them and non-Kashmiri students of Shiv Shakti hostel in Greater Noida. While senior police officers said no complaint had been received, they said a team had been sent to the spot. “If university administration approaches us, we will take up the matter,” said Anurag
Singh, Circle Officer-I of Greater Noida.
The latest incident comes two month after over 60 Kashmiri students were expelled from a Meerut University after cheering for Pakistan cricket team during an Asia Cup match against India.
Reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Twitter, “If the universities or State authorities can’t protect Kashmiri students coming there then man up & admit your inability or unwillingness.”
In a sarcastic remark, Omar said beating patriotism into these students would not remove any fear of sense of alienation among the Kashmiris.
“let’s beat patriotism in to Kashmiri students, why don’t we. Great way to remove any fear or sense of alienation among Kashmiris. Thugs!!!” he tweeted.