Ruling out any possibility of shifting the National Institute of Technology from Srinagar, Government on Saturday said that the demand was beyond consideration and cannot be accepted under any circumstances. It however, said that the faculty and other indoor management related demands are seriously being looked at and would be addressed very soon. Deputy Chief Minster Dr. Nirmal Singh also stressed that the security of the Kashmiri students outside the state was seriously being ensured and said that Children of any state including Jammu and Kashmir were alike, and shouldn’t be polarized for the sake of political gains. Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Dr. Singh said that the State government was closely monitoring the NIT situation and hoped the normalcy would return on the campus very soon. He said that he along with Education Minster and HRD team met with the agitating students and assured them of the redressal of their genuine demands that included improving the facilities inside the campus.
“There are faculty shortage, electricity, hygiene related issues besides scarcity of medical facility on the campus. We have assured them of bringing improvement in these areas. I being in- charge minster of Power have ordered restoration of 24/7 power supply. Besides this, they alleged that medical facilities are not available on the campus after evening. We are addressing that also. They also complained that girls are not being allowed to move out from hostels after 6 PM. We are addressing that issue also.” Said Deputy Chief Minster. He however, made it clear that the demand of shifting NIT from Kashmir was ‘unthinkable’. “HRD ministry has also said that the demand cannot be accepted. So is the stand of the state government on it.” Said Dr. Singh, adding that any decision on the demand of action against police officials would be taken only after the Magisterial enquiry is completed and tabled.“The magisterial enquiry is a wholesome process which will include every event that led to this kind of situation. Let that be completed first.” Deputy CM told KNS.While rejecting the assertions of JKLF Chairman Yasin Malik, BJP leader said that students from Kashmir were safe in other parts of the country and added that their (Kashmiri Students) security was the responsibility of whole Nation.
“Children are children. They should not be differentiated on the basis of region or religion. We are committed to their security wherever they are. Home ministry has been seriously monitoring the security of Kashmiri students outside state.” Said the deputy Chief Minster. He ridiculed the rumors that BJP was planning to launch ‘NIT Chalo’ march from New Delhi and said rumor mongers were hell bent to create confusions. He appealed people to desist from ‘politicizing’ the Students issues and said polarizing students for political gains was the worst form of politicking.“I have stayed away from NIT campus only to send a message that institutions should not be used as political platforms. Let all help children to make their carriers rather than polarizing them on petty issues.” said Dr. Singh. (KNS)