Kashmiri separatists to protest alleged attacks on students outside valley

Srinagar: Kashmiri separatist parties have called for a one-day shutdown on Tuesday against series of alleged attacks on Kashmiri students at universities and colleges outside the Valley.

Pro-independence Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik said on Saturday that Kashmiri students are being beaten, harassed and intimidated at universities outside the Valley and the authorities have turned a blind eye to it.

Critiquing the prevailing situation, the leader said, “Instead a drama is being staged at NIT Srinagar to hide these atrocities and divert attention from it.”

He alleged, “Kashmiri students are being beaten day in and day out, harassed, intimidated and bullied in India and this has taken an ugly turn now. Students are being used as a bait to fulfill petty political interests.”

He further added, “While this state-sponsored terrorism is on, prolonged NIT Srinagar drama is being enacted to trample public opinion and hide these oppressive attacks on Kashmiri students.”

The JKLF will also stage a protest at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk on Monday, said the leader.