Srinagar- Seven students of an agricultural university have been arrested here under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for allegedly raising objectionable slogans and celebrating the Indian cricket team’s loss in the World Cup final, officials said on Monday.
All the seven arrested students are studying at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir, in Shuhama, Ganderbal.
The students were arrested after police launched an investigation into a complaint by a non-local student who alleged his college mates had harassed him and raised objectionable slogans after India lost the final match and the cup to Australia.
The police in Ganderbal district filed a case under Section 13 (unlawful activity punishable with imprisonment) of the UAPA, and Sections 505 (inciting to commit any offence against any other class or community) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
Meanwhile, the J&K Students Association urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah and J&K Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha to drop UAPA charges.
“It is an unacceptably harsh punishment that could ruin their future. The UAPA charges will have serious consequences on the academic and future career of the students and should be immediately withdrawn. It may have serious repercussions both in the long term and short term,” Nasir Khuehami, national convenor of the Association, said.
He said the association also condemned the act and behaviour of the Kashmiri students “in the harshest of words”. “The issue should be resolved amicably, rather than taking it to the court and police station,” he added.