KL Report
SRINAGAR
Police had to use force against the students in the South Kashmir town of Kulgam Wednesday when they opposed and protested against the rehearsal of August 15 function in the Degree College premises.
Sources said that authorities had called selected boys and girls students from various local educational institutions to participate in the practice session of the cultural programmes meant for the August 15 function. They added that the practice was taking place in the Government Degree College premises and as the students came to know about the event they opposed and agitated against it.
“Both boys and girls students came out of their classes and raised slogans against the event creating chaos and tension in the premises,” sources said.
They added that when police intervened and tried to disperse the agitated students the participants of the rehearsal ran from the venue. “The students continued their protest and came out of the premises where police swung into action against them,” the eyewitnesses said.
Soon the protesting Students pelted stones on police who used tear smoke shells against them.
When contacted Additional Superintendent of Police district Kulgam, Shabir Nawab, he refused that students opposed the August 15 rehearsal in the College. “The students were in fact demanding to include them as well in the programme,” Nawab said. He however added that some students alleged that their class work was disturbed by the practice session held in the college. Nawab also refuted any clashes between the students and police.
Local sources however told Kashmir Life that clashes started on the Astan crossing and protesters even marched on the main roads of the town raising anti-India slogans.
They said that police have arrested many protesting students and many of the protesting youths were injured.
