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Day 2: IUST students protest, clash with security forces
ESS AHMAD. Dated: 10/19/2017 12:22:14 PM
ANANTNAG, Oct 17: The continuous detention of an engineering student of Islamic university of science and technology (IUST) triggered massive protests by the students of the varsity for the second day on Wednesday.
A student Junaid Ahthinmad Akhoon who is doing diploma in electrical engineering was arrested by Anantnag police on Sunday. Akhoon’s brother is an active militant associated with Hizb. Police maintains that he has been detained for questioning in connection with the robbery of a JK bank branch in Marhama village of Bijbehara involving his militant brother. A day after his arrest students on Monday had held peaceful protests within the campus seeking his immediate release. Students had agreed to end their protest after Vice chancellor had told them that police has assured his (student’s) release by Tuesday.
However, as the student continued to be under detention, hundreds of students of the varsity assembled within the campus and held protests. Demanding the immediate release of their fellow students raising slogans, varsity sources said, marched outside the campus. As the protesting students, reached near Srinagar-Jammu national highway forces deployed there in order to push them back lobbed tearsmoke shells triggering clashes.
The security forces, witnesses said, chased the students up to the campus using force. Students alleged that the forces even fired tearsmoke shells and pepper gas inside the campus. "Several girl students fainted due to the inhalation of pepper gas," a university official said.
Vice chancellor of the varsity Professor Siddique, said that the student is likely to be cleared during the investigation by this evening.
"Though top police officials had assured me his release on Tuesday only but that did not happen. I am in touch with them and they have assured me that he is most likely to be cleared during the investigation by tomorrow. I could not pacify the students today. If he is not involved police should speed up the investigation into his arrest," VC told Kashmir Times.