SRINAGAR: There was an abrupt and quick clash between the students of the Islamia College of Science and Commerce in Hawal and the police. Police and paramilitary men responded to the stone pelting by tear smoke shells but avoided entering the institution, witnesses said.
“We were at loss to understand how it started,” a senior faculty of the college said. “It was only after the tear smoke shells started exploding in the premises that we came to know that some students had started protesting against the use of force against students in Jamia and AMU.”
The police immediately closed all the exits of the college. The teacher said they first ensured the female students are sheltered in a safe building as the tear smoke filled the entire space and created a panic. “Later, a faculty member came out and talked with the CRPF and ensured the girl students leave the premises,” he said. “Many hours later, as the deployments thinned around the college, the students also moved out in small groups.”
The clash, the first major, after August 5, blocked the main road for many hours. The entire street was dominated by a huge contingent of the police and the CRPF.
College authorities said the institution will remain open on Wednesday but there will not be any classwork. However, the examinations, scheduled as per the university date sheet, will be held.
Two reporters, Azaan Javaid and Anees Zaragr who were covering the clash were caught by the cops and beaten. They said they were beaten up and their phones snatched. Azaan Javed, writes for The Print, and Anees Zargar, works for Newsclick. The two reporters said they had started filming an arrest when they caught and beaten.
Meanwhile, authorities announced winter vacation in all Kashmir colleges from December 21, 2019. The colleges will reopen in the first week of February.
According to a government order issued here today, all Government Degree Colleges (GDCs) of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall observe winter vacation as per the following schedule.
As per the order, Government Degree Colleges of Kashmir Division will observe the winter vacation from December 21 to February 7, 2020. The degree colleges in Jammu will proceed on winter vacation from January 1, 2020 to January 10, except colleges falling in its winter zone. The colleges falling in winter zone of Jammu division will observe the winter vacation as per Kashmir calendar.
