The Congress demanded a judicial inquiry into the unrest at NIT Srinagar. (File photo)
As exams at NIT (National Institute of Technology) Srinagar started on schedule today following the directions of the Human Resources Development ministry, a majority of non-Kashmiri students decided to exercise the option of "separate exams". Many of them decided to take a break and go home.
Exams for three papers were held and a team from the Union ministry is camping at the campus to ensure that the exams are conducted smoothly.
But it was mostly the 500-odd local students who sat for the exams. Around 400 of the 2,000-plus non-local students left for their homes today. Officials say another 1,200 non-local students have applied for home visit before they appear for the exams.
The Institute has given an option of "separate exams" for those who missed classes during the week-long unrest in the campus.
"I'm going home. They should first accept our demands and then we will appear for exams," said Rahul, a non-local student.
Denying it was a local versus non-local issue, he said their protest is against the police and NIT administration. "We have no issues with the local students. We want action against police for lathicharge on students and administration. We also demand shifting NIT out of Kashmir," he said.
On April 5, the police had lathi-charged protesting students. Sources had said the police action came after a group tried to emerge from the campus carrying the Tricolour. The police have also released a video showing how non-local students were ransacking the campus and throwing stones.
Following the April 5 protests, a large number paramilitary forces have been deployed inside the campus in response to the students' demand for protection from the police.
The police had descended on the campus last month too, when local and non-local students had clashed after a section had celebrated India's loss to West Indies in the World T20 semi-finals.
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh has promised students all assistance. But he had ruled out the demand to shift NIT out of Srinagar. The human resources development ministry has also made it clear that NIT cannot be shifted.