Govt assures adequate security to NIT students in Srinagar

SRINAGAR: Around 2,000 non-Kashmiri boys and girls continued to boycott classes at NIT, Srinagar for the seventh day on Thursday, demanding that they be 'evacuated' from the campus and the institute be relocated to a 'safer' place outside Jammu & Kashmir.A student from Bihar alleged that she was threatened by Kashmiri girls with rape if non-locals continued with their agitation. "I was threatened by Kashmiri girls of my class to attend classes, otherwise we will be raped and molested by the locals," she said. "Though we are getting food and facilities in the hostel, we feel insecure inside the campus," a student told TOI.Leaked photos showed several non-Kashmiri girls protesting with their faces covered, holding a tricolor and placards with slogans like 'Nothing is normal here' and 'It's all about our security'.The campus has been on the boil ever since two groups of Kashmiris and non-locals fought last week over India's defeat to West Indies in the T20 World Cup semis. A teacher admitted only local students were attending classes.Non-local student accused NIT director Rajat Gupta of threatening them. "These HRD officials are here for three hours, but we will be here to deal with you in future," one of non-local students quoted Gupta as saying while referring to the three-member HRD team's visit.Deputy CM Nirmal Singh visited the campus on Thursday. Meanwhile, a student alleged Facebook pages of non-locals were hacked by some Kashmiri students. He said students had never demanded that a temple be constructed on the campus.A government spokesperson said additional deputy commissioner, Srinagar, has been asked to submit a report within 15 days.