SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Friday ordered the suspension of the Principal and an Assistant Professor of Amar Singh College, Srinagar, following a recent harassment controversy that triggered student protests on campus.
Senior officials in the Higher Education Department said the action has been taken pending an inquiry into the incident, with directions issued to complete the probe within one week.
An official said the suspension of both officials was ordered on the directions of Higher Education Minister Sakina Itoo.
A senior official of the department said that during the protests at Amar Singh College, some outsiders were allegedly found inside the college premises, prompting an immediate inquiry.
“The question remains as to who allowed them inside the campus during the protest. Taking all aspects into consideration, both the Principal and the Assistant Professor have been suspended pending inquiry,” the official said.
The protests broke out on Thursday after students alleged harassment of a female student inside the college campus.
During the afternoon, students of the Department of Media Studies assembled within the college premises and staged a protest, raising allegations against the Head of Department (HoD) of Media Studies.
Following the demonstrations, senior officials of the Higher Education Department and the college administration took immediate cognisance of the matter.
Earlier, in an official order issued by the Principal of Amar Singh College, Srinagar, Parvaiz Ahmad Lone, the HoD of the Department of Media Studies was disassociated from all academic affairs of the department with immediate effect, pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The order further stated that the Proctorial Board has been tasked with conducting a transparent and time-bound investigation into the allegations. (JKNS)
