Protest over suspension of J&K students from varsity

Protests and clashes erupted at different places in Kashmir on Friday against the decision of a university in Uttar Pradesh to suspend 67 Kashmiri students for celebrating Pakistan’s victory over India in a cricket match on Sunday. 

A protest rally led by pro-independence Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik was taken out from Maisuma locality near the city centre Lal Chowk after Friday prayers. However, the police intercepted and detained Malik and others.

Reports said scores of students staged demonstration in Kashmir University and Government Medical College Srinagar against the slapping of charges and the treatment given to Kashmir students by the Meerut’s Swami Vivekananda Subharti University administration.

A statement from Kashmir University Students’ Union (KUSU), which was banned in 2010, said: “We appeal Pakistan cricket team to wear black bands in the final of Asia Cup against Sri Lanka on Saturday.”

In South Kashmir’s Anantnag town, a protest was staged soon after Friday prayers. However, reports said, the police did not allow protesters to proceed towards the main town. Same reports were received from north Kashmir towns of Baramulla and Sumbal.

A police spokesman said situation throughout the Valley remained peaceful. “However, stray incidents of stone pelting were reported from some areas in the afternoon. No one was hurt,” he added.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday thanked his counterpart in Uttar Pradesh for withdrawing sedition charges against the suspended Kashmiri students.

"Very glad that the UP Police has withdrawn the sedition case against the boys. Grateful to Akhilesh Yadav (Uttar Pradesh chief minister) for his intervention in the case," Omar wrote on micro blogging site Twitter.