Jammu: Around 150 youths who were on their way to Srinagar to express solidarity with the non-local students at National Institute of Technology (NIT) were detained at Lakhanpur and not allowed to enter Jammu and Kashmir.
"Around 150 youths from Delhi, Punjab and Harayana who were on their way to Srinagar to join the NIT protest were not allowed to enter Jammu and Kashmir and were detained at Lakhanpur late last night from where they were sent back," a senior police officer said.
"Fearing the law and order problem, around 150 youth who tried to enter Jammu and Kashmir on a bus and a Tata Sumo were not allowed to enter the state and were sent back," the officer said.
Led by Tejinder Pal Singh Bagga of Bhagat Singh Kranti Dal, the youths returned to New Delhi from Lakhanpur after police did not allow them to proceed towards the state.
The youths were on their way to Srinagar for unfurling national tri colour at NIT to express their solidarity with non-local students there.
The youths comprising students of IT, engineering, architect and other courses had begun their journey under the banner of newly formed "Group of Citizens" from Delhi’s Gurdwara Rakabgunj on Saturday.
They were first stopped at Madhopur in Punjab, but were later allowed to proceed to Jammu and Kashmir after questioning by Punjab Police.
As they crossed the bridge over Ravi, they started raising slogans like "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" but were, however, stopped by the police.
"We were going to Srinagar to tell non-local students at NIT-Srinagar that they are not alone in their fight against anti-nationals," Bagga said.
Clashes occurred at NIT, Srinagar following team India's defeat against West Indies in the World Cup T20 semi-final.
Two group of students, one from Kashmir and another from other states, fought after some students burst crackers after India's defeat, leading the shut down of the institute.
