Pulwama: Over 50 students were injured in a clash with security personnel today over the setting up of a checkpoint near Government Degree College (Boys), Pulwama, in south Kashmir.The clash erupted outside the college when some students allegedly started throwing stones at a CRPF vehicle that was parked outside the gate.Eyewitnesses alleged that soon after the vehicle was spotted at the college gate, the students started protesting against it.“After the protest erupted, the police at the gate started firing teargas shells in retaliation. Many students resorted to stone-throwing,” said a student, while accusing the police of “excesses” on them.A medical official from Pulwama said about 54 students injured in the clash were brought to District Hospital, Pulwama, and six were shifted to the Primary Health Centre, Newa.The official said five among the injured were referred to Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital in Srinagar. “Four of the injured from the District Hospital and one from the health centre were shifted to the SMHS,” the official said.Superintendent of Police, Pulwama, Mohammad Rayees Bhat said the students threw stones at security personnel who had laid a checkpoint, about 200 m away from the gate of the Pulwama college. “The students threw stones on the CRPF and police personnel who in retaliation fired teargas canisters to control the situation,” he said, adding that more police teams were sent to prevent further escalation in the situation.Meanwhile, many parents also assembled near the principal’s office. Accusing him of collaborating with the the security forces, they blamed him for the fracas on the college premises. They also questioned the need for a checkpoint near the college.
