Even as the State Cabinet on Tuesday expressed “deep anguish over the loss of precious lives,” the situation in the Kashmir Valley showed no signs of improvement. Fearing violence, the authorities have decided to keep all colleges closed for Wednesday too.
A Cabinet meeting in Jammu, attended by both Peoples Democratic Party and BJP ministers, “made a fervent appeal to all shades of political opinion to help restore peace and normalcy in the Valley”.
Rights abuses
It also reviewed the security and law and order situation. Sources said the recent emergence of videos on rights abuses of civilians at the hands of security forces was also discussed. The police crackdown on students at the Government Degree College, Pulwama, was pondered over but “no decision was taken to punish the guilty security personnel.”
An official said the Cabinet directed the police and the security agencies “to exercise maximum restraint”. The Cabinet asked the civil society and parents “to counsel the youth to stay away from violent protests, which, in spite of maximum restraint, can at times lead to fatal consequences.”
Fearing more violence from students, the authorities have decided to close all colleges on Wednesday. The Sri Pratap School, Srinagar, which became the epicentre of violent protests on Monday, will also remain closed. Dozens of students were injured in the clashes, spread across the Valley.
Rallying behind the students, Youth National Conference (YNC) on Tuesday organised a rally in Srinagar against the use of “excessive force”.
“While Kashmir is turning into a veritable inferno, the government could be found in deep slumber and its ministers enjoying heydays,” said YNC president Salman Sagar.
Women hostellers
Meanwhile, fresh protests by women hostellers erupted in Kashmir University against the use of force against students.
The alleged thrashing of students by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Banihal town fuelled more protests there. Students staged a protest and closed the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Geelani accused the government of turning “educational institutions into battlefields”.
