Nishikant Khajuria/ Adil Lateef
JAMMU, Apr 9: As another attempt of negotiation resulted into deadlock with both the sides remaining stick to their earlier stand over demand for shifting of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar to outside Kashmir, the agitating non-local students intensified their protest today, the fifth consecutive day of the ongoing strike.
Even as the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh claimed that the students were satisfied over the talks, during which their various demands of facilities in the college and hostel premises were agreed upon, there was no sign of restoration of normalcy on the campus.
Amid simmering tension, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) also issued a formal notification rejecting the campus shifting demand of outstation students of NIT Srinagar.
The non-local students, both male and female, held separate protest dharnas amidst raising of slogans in support of their demands for their immediate evacuation to home, shifting of the campus to some safer place outside Kashmir Valley, strict action against the cops responsible for brutal lathicharge on them and punishment to roguish elements in administration of the NIT Srinagar.
The girl students, who are protesting near the Fountain Point, did not take any break since yesterday morning and continued their dharna despite intermittent rain and severe cold during the night. The boys today shifted their venue of protest from hostel gate to near the Director’s office and kept protesting throughout the day.
Meanwhile, another attem-pt to pacify the students could not yield any substantial result as their talks with Deputy Chief Minister at his official residence in Srinagar this morning remained inconclusive once again.
However, talking to the Excelsior, Dr Nirmal Singh claimed that the issue of NIT Srinagar has been almost resolved and the students were apparently satisfied as all their demands with respect to required facilities on the campus were conceded and directions were also issued in this regard. “The group of students, with whom the meeting was held for around two hours this morning, same demands were repeated and as I had already issued instructions on the same, they (students) were looking satisfied,” he added.
While elaborating, he said that the students have been given options of two exams; one for those who want to appear on time and another for those who want to go home and later they can appear in the exams. Further, he added, the arrangement of Wi-Fi has been done and the issues of twenty four hours electricity as well as timing of girl students for moving on the campus, have also been sorted out.
“As far as allegations of victimization by faculty or management are concerned, the HRD team is looking into it and a grievance cell is being created in this regard besides creating an e-mail ID for submitting complaints, which will personally looked into by the Chairman of Board of Governor,” the DyCM added.
However, he reiterated that the demand for shifting of the NIT campus to outside Kashmir can never be considered and the students should not even think of it.
Meanwhile, a notification issued today by the MHRD and the Chairman, Board of Governors, NIT Srinagar said: “There was a demand that NIT should be shifted from Srinagar. This cannot be agreed to as per MHRD.”
The notification, however, adds that the competent authority has taken some decisions to restore normal activity in the campus. “Girl students have complained that the timing of their movement to/from hostels has been restrictive. They also complained about prevailing pass system, which is the hindrance for them. It has been decided that pass system be immediately removed. The timing of moving to/from hostels should also be relaxed. A detailed notice in this regard has been issued”, the notification reads. The notification has also made it clear that there will not be any need for students to obtain permission from the administration for celebrating their festivals.
“There are many issues which have been raised related to mess cleanliness, geyser inadequately equipped labs, class, rude behavior of staff and discrimination. The same will be placed in the meeting of Board of Governors which is scheduled on April 11, 2016 and a time bound action will be taken under supervision of the board. Ministry of HRD will also monitor the action taken report. Students who want to address the board are welcome. They can also submit their complaint in writing without indicating their name”, reads the notification.
The notification further says that the students who want to go home should inform the NIT administration. “As has been apprised earlier that those who want to go home may submit their details as per the notices which have been sent NIT will help their transit. Another minor exam will be held in lieu of the minor scheduled from 11 to 14 April for such students at a convenient time”, reads the notification.
Through the notification the administration has urged the students to keep calm and attend academic activities. “Students have expressed a fear that their grading will be adversely affected due to present situation. A student grievance redressal system has already been notified which will also address such issues on priority. It is once again requested that all students should keep calm and attend the academic activities”, reads the notification.
Meanwhile, a top Adminis-trative official of the NIT Srinagar told Excelsior that a total of 8 students have gone home since yesterday while hundreds others are also expected to leave. “Six students left yesterday while two injured students were sent today.
“The NIT authorities sent these injured students at their own expenses on humanitarian grounds,” the official added.
He said that though students in large number want to go home but they have not come forward with their details so far. “Around 1000 students are expected to go but as we had notified none of them came with their personal details like name, parentage and address,” he added.
The official further said that the probe committee which was constituted by the NIT Srinagar after April 1 clash has identified some of the students, both local and non-local, for their ‘involvement in damaging property’. “They were called by Administration but none of them appeared before us,” he said, adding that the probe report would be now submitted before Board of Governors.
Meanwhile, the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force and SSB continue to be stationed on the NIT campus but the situation remained completely peaceful and no untoward took place. The MHRD team, which was sent by Central Ministry, continues to be at NIT and today also they held deliberations with College administration.
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