SRINAGAR: Amidst continued tension at NIT-Srinagar, the Ministry of Human Resources Development has rejected non-local students’ demand that the institute be shifted out of the Valley. However, the Ministry expressed willingness to facilitate their return home for a break.
Chairman of the NIT Board of Governors, Dr M J Zarabi on Saturday told Express that the agitating non-local students were told that institute could not be shifted to any other place in the country.
“We have told them that it was not possible and not feasible,” he said adding that J&K Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh had reiterated the same.
A delegation of non-local NIT students met Singh, State Education Minister Naeem Akhtar and UHRD officials Friday evening and apprised them of their demands. The delegation met Singh and the officials again on Saturday. The non-local students, who have been boycotting classes since J&K Police lathi-charged them on April 5, have also been demanding their evacuation from the institute and action against officers involved in the lathi-charge. Zarabi said that evacuation only took place during natural disasters or something on those lines. “However, in good spirit we have told them that those among them who are desirous of having a break and going home would be facilitated to return home. We have sought details from them and I don’t know how many of them have submitted the details,” he said, adding, “We have also given them the option of appearing for the exams — beginning April 11 — after their return from home.” Zarabi added that the students were told that J&K government had ordered a magisterial inquiry into the unrest in the campus. Zarabi also rejected the option of closing the institute temporarily to let the things settle down. He said significant number of students were attending classes everyday. “We can’t allow anybody to force their will on those who want to study and appear in the examinations on time,” he said.