Srinagar: The Joint Committee of University Teachers Associations-Kashmir on Thursday condemned the arrest spree and nocturnal raids carried out by the armed forces in Kashmir and Chenab Valleys.
“As per reports 300 juveniles have been locked up in jails and police stations and more than 6000 have been arbitrarily slapped with the PSA,” said a statement issued after a meeting of Joint Committee of University Teachers Associations-Kashmir was held today where representatives of the five constituent Associations of the committee comprising KUTA, SSTA, IUFA, CUKTA and SVSA were present.
Reiterating the need for holding of meaningful dialogue with the stakeholders for permanent and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue, the statement said, “the committee demanded immediate end to the arrest spree and nocturnal raids. It also desired the release of all political prisoners.”
The statement said that the issue of examination of students of Kashmir also came under discussion and it was opined that holding of examinations for the students of 10th and 12th classes is “not feasible” in the present unfavourable circumstances.
Expressing its concern over the harassment of Kashmiri students studying in educational institution outside the state, the Committee said, “these students have to face insults and intimidation and in many cases rustication over petty social media posts.”
The statement added that the members of the Committee also expressed their concern over the occupation of educational institutions by armed forces.
“Two research centres of SKUAST (K) namely Ambri Research Centre at Pohnu, Shopian and Mountain Research Centre for Field Crops (MRCFC), Khudwani, Kulgam have been recently occupied by the forces. Both centres have Germplasm Banks that have been created by the scientists in collaboration with international research institutes,” the statement informed.