NIT Srinagar Shut Indefinitely After Student Clashes Over Cricket Celebration
Srinagar, April 1, KNT Authorities at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar on Friday closed the institute until further orders after clashes erupted between local and non-local students following celebrations over India’s defeat to the West Indies in a cricket match.
Officials said tensions flared on the campus in Hazratbal after groups of students confronted each other over celebrations linked to the cricket result, prompting authorities to suspend academic activities and call in police to restore order.
According to officials, some local students gathered on the campus lawns on Thursday night and celebrated the West Indies victory with firecrackers and slogans. The celebrations reportedly continued for several hours.
Non-local students reacted strongly to the incident and demanded security from the institute administration. The situation escalated when groups of students clashed and some college infrastructure was reportedly damaged.
Police were called to the campus to bring the situation under control. Eyewitnesses said police lobbed tear smoke shells to disperse the groups of students engaged in the confrontation.
One student was reportedly injured during the scuffle, although the identity of the injured student was not immediately known.
Local students alleged that some non-local students attempted to misbehave with members of the teaching staff, which triggered further tensions on the campus.
Registrar F.A. Mir issued an official notice directing students to vacate hostel rooms after the institute decided to suspend operations.
“In view of the prevailing indiscipline created by the students from today the 1st of April, 2016, the institute is closed till further orders. Students are therefore to vacate the hostels,” the notice said.
The administration said the decision was taken after repeated appeals to students to maintain discipline were ignored.
A police official said some elements attempted to create a law and order problem on the campus but the situation was later brought under control.
“The situation was brought under control and everything is normal there,” the official said. [KNT]
