The higher educational institutions across Kashmir remained closedTuesday following the orders of the government over protests by students yesterday against forces assault on students in Government College in Pulwama.Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Khan had on Monday evening ordered that all universities, colleges and higher secondary schools would remain closed on Tuesday. The schools till Class 8 were open.The students across the valley had on Monday held massive protests in solidarity with the Pulwama government degree college students who were thrashed and beaten by forces on Saturday during their against the entry of an army vehicle into the college premises. As per officials, 54 students were injured during the clashes with forces in Pulwama and in yesterday’s assault more than 70 students were injured.
Meanwhile, protests were held by female students in Kashmir University as the hostel boarders today noon gathered in the varsity premises and protested against the assault on students by forces yesterday and in Pulwama College. The prostesting students raised slogans against the police and government for assaulting students.Shutdown was held in Pulwama and Kulgam areas by people against the assault by forces on students, though no shutdown was called by the Hurriyat. The shutdown was observed by people in these two districts spontaneously.Meanwhile, students in Banihal protested and blocked the Srinagar-Jammu highway against the alleged thrashing of students by CRPF troopers in Chareel village.The students said that the paramilitary forces who were travelling from Kashmir to Jammu manhandled and thrashed few students. The protesting students demanded action against the CRPF. The highway was later reopened after the six-hour protests. (KNS)