Clashes between students and security forces erupted in parts of north and south Kashmir on Thursday, despite appeals by Governor N.N. Vohra and State Education Minister Altaf Bukhari to students to “safeguard their careers and return to classes”.
Students of the Higher Secondary School Dooru, Anantnag, staged an anti-Army protest. They alleged that the Army thrashed the students in the area after an incident of pelting of stones. Security forces used tear-smoke shells to chase the students hurling stones. The clashes affected life.
In north Kashmir, students of the Boys Higher Secondary School, Sopore in Baramulla district, the Government Higher Secondary School, Langate in Kupwara district, and the Govt. Degree College and Higher Secondary School Magam, Baramulla, clashed with security forces. They alleged that some students were picked up by security agencies.
The situation was tense in several areas as the protesting students were hurling stones and the security forces firing tear-smoke shells. There are no reports of any injury so far.
Kashmir has witnessed a spree of student protests since April 15, 2017 when security forces raided the Government Degree College, Pulwama. Over 50 students were injured in the incident. Subsequently, 50 more students were injured as clashes spread to other districts of the Valley.
