Pulwama, Kulgam shuts against use of force on students

Srinagar, April 18: A spontaneous shutdown was observed in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday. The town had witnessed violent clashes on Saturday between Government Forces and Degree College Students in which over 50 students had suffered injuries.
All shops and business establishments remained closed while transport remained off the roads. Life also remained paralyzed in Kulgam district of south Kashmir due to a spontaneous shutdown against the forces’ action on protesting students at Degree College Kulgam.
Dozens of students were injured after forces fired teargas shells inside the college on Monday. Witnesses told CNS that all shops and other business establishments remained closed in the town and other areas. Public transport also remained off the roads.
Meanwhile, Universities, colleges and higher secondary schools remained closed across Kashmir on the orders of the divisional administration in view of the widespread student protests in the valley.
The universities, colleges and classes XI and XII remained closed today following orders to this effect issued by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Khan on Monday.
Meanwhile a large number of female students staged a massive protest inside Kashmir University against the use of force on students. The female students from University hostels assembled in front of Iqbal Libarary and amid pro-freedom slogans denounced the attacks on the students. The protesting students demanded stern action against CRPF personnel responsible for injuries of a girl student Iqra Sidiq from Nawakadal College.
Meanwhile,the Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered the closure of all Degree Colleges and SP Higher Secondary School (HSS) Srinagar tomorrow. A top official in divisional administration said the all colleges and SP HSS Srinagar will remain closed tomorrow as well. “All other schools, except SP School will remain open tomorrow,” the official said. (CNS)