Students involvement in unrest – Governor discusses concerns with Education Minister

SRINAGAR, MAY 10: Governor N.N. Vohra, deeply disturbed by the series of recent reports on incidents involving students in situations leading to public disorder, has been repeatedly stressing his concern that the educational interests of the entire student community must be vigorously advanced and selfishly protected and, under no circumstances, should the future careers of the student community be allowed to get exploited or compromised in any manner.

Since the opening of the Durbar in Srinagar the Governor has held a series of meetings in connection with the maintenance of law and order and internal security. Besides conveying his concerns to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, the Governor held extensive discussions with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti yesterday in which he had particularly urged her to take all required steps for ensuring that the students community is immunised against any involvement in law and order situations.

In furtherance of his anxiety to see that the ongoing semester of studies in schools, colleges and the universities is not affected, the Governor held discussions today with Shri Vijay Dhar, President of the D.P. Dhar Memorial Trust which runs the DPS School, the largest in the Valley. He also had a long meeting with Prof Khurshid Andrabi, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir, during which he stressed the role and responsibilities of the Vice Chancellor, Deans and the Faculty in ensuring against any unhealthy influences being allowed to adversely affect the teaching schedules in the colleges and universities.

Based on the inputs received from the various quarters the Governor had extensive discussions with Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, Minister for Education, at the Raj Bhavan here today. Shri Bukhari briefed the Governor about the steps so far taken by the School and Higher Education Departments and the initiatives personally taken by him to see that students are protected from involvement in law and order incidents.

After deliberating on the factors which have led to the involvement of students, even girls, the Governor has decided to hold an urgent further meeting with the Vice Chancellors and other stakeholders for agreed further action being taken for ensuring against recurring disruption of the educational system in Kashmir Valley.