Srinagar: At least twelve Kashmir students sustained injuries after trouble erupted over India and Pakistan cricket match before Friday congregational prayers at a varsity in Rajasthan. India and Pakistan are to lock horns today in the ongoing T20 World Cup being played in Bangladesh.
Reports reaching GNS said that today at around 11:45 am, some local students started hurling abuses at Kashmir students. “Situation turned hostile after the local students, who were about 30-40 in numbers thrashed four Kashmir students,” a BTech student from Kashmir, who insisted not to be named, told GNS over phone from the Meewar varsity.
The latest ‘attack’ on the Kashmir students, yet again, is linked to the game of cricket between India and Pakistan.
“We were preparing for Friday prayers,” he said, adding: “In their assault, one student fell unconscious, who was removed by his colleagues to the hostel room.” “In the meantime, the local students including the residents of the area started to pelt stones on Kashmiri,” he alleged.
He alleged that all this happened in the presence of local police and varsity administration and they played role of ‘mute spectators’.
About 650 Kashmir students who are pursuing different courses at the varsity have been ‘threatened’.
The student claimed that they are being ‘harassed since March 2, when Pakistan defeated India’. “Since then, they are targeting us and they want that we should leave the varsity,” he said.
The student said ‘we want to leave the varsity’, but “we have been cornered from all sides and they aren’t letting us to go”.
When GNS contacted Senior Superintendent of Police, Chittorgarh, he said: “A local student has sustained minor in a scuffle between two groups. The police is on the spot and we are ascertaining the facts and a case will be filed in this regard,” adding: We have asked for a report from University authorities and whosoever will be involved, law will take action against him.”
The Meewar University is located at Gangrar, Chittorgarh in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The Kashmir students have been selected in the varsity through Prime Minister’s scholarship scheme.
Earlier, At least 67 Kashmir students were suspended by Meerut’s Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (SVSU) over cheering for Pakistan cricket team after they defeated India in a league match of previously held Asia cup in Bangladesh and were charged with sedition. However, after a public outcry, the sedition charges were revoked, but the students have been booked for creating communal hatred and ruckus. (GNS)