Barring Islamic college, students, people remain unconcerned to CAA

Srinagar:Barring students of Government Islamic college, people in the Kashmir valley remained unconcerned to Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and subsequent protests against it across the country and alleged police action on students of Jamia and Aligarh universities.

Students of Islamic college, Hawan, in the outskirts hit the streets to protest against the CAA which grants citizenship rights to religiously persecuted non-Muslim who have came from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh before 2014.

Security forces burst teargas shells and fired pellets to disperse the students who were raising slogans against alleged Delhi police action on students of Jamia in the National Capital.

Meanwhile, parents whose wards are studying in different universities in the country are worried about their safety.

"We are keeping in touch with our children after every half an hour because of the situation developing in the country after anti-CAA protests", said the parents. "Thanks to landlines and postpaid mobile phones which are working and we are able to remain in touch with each other," they added and demanded restoration of internet service.

To redress the grievances of students studying in outside the UT, government has nominated six liaison officers in various states. The students can contact these liaison officer in case of any difficult or distress.

Officials said that these liaison officers are in constant touch with the local administration, college and university administration and the state government to reach out the students of J&K. However, they said the students are advised to use the social media cautiously and refrain from any such activity which can disturb peace and harmony. They are also advised not to pay any heed to rumours.

There was peace in the Kashmir University (KU), mainly because no classes are being held since August 5, a university official who do not want to be named told UNI this afternoon.

He said only teaching and ministerial staff are attending the university. However, he said, some students do come to campus only to get some guidance or clarification from professors. The university has already announced winter vacation from next week, he said.

However, in the nearby Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hazratbal, students are attending their classes after the institute reopens again. The atmosphere there too was peaceful. The IIT was closed and outside students asked to leave before the special status of the state was withdrawn.

Similar situation was witnessed in other universities in the valley, where fresh classes have been started after conducting examinations.

All educational institutions upto Higher Secondary Schools (HSS) are closed on account of winter vacation till February 22. Students of educational institutions boycotted their classes in the valley since August 5. However, 10th and 12 class examinations were conducted peacefully. Majority private schools gave question papers to students who later solved them in their homes before submitting again to schools.

The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora in Pulwama district students attended their classes normally.(UNI)