This is not the first instance in which the institute, dubbed often as only second to the IITs, has witnessed pro-Kashmir and anti-India protests.
The prestigious National Institute of Technology (NIT) Hazratbal in Srinagar was rocked by anti-India, anti-government, and pro-freedom protests, said eyewitnesses, after three civilians were killed in a crossfire during an army operation in Kulgam district of the Valley.
This is not the first instance in which the institute, dubbed often as only second to the IITs, has witnessed pro-Kashmir and anti-India protests. The institute hit headlines in April 2016, when clashes broke out between local and non-Kashmiri students over India's loss to West Indies in a T20 World Cup game. This was followed by a spat of violence as outstation students made allegations of rape and death threats and stones were pelted at him.
"On Wednesday afternoon, a large number of students, mainly locals, protested on the campus and shouted slogans against India and the Army after the news of the death of three civilians reached them. They were carrying placards with slogans such as 'Stand with Kashmir', 'Kashmir is Bleeding', etc," a non-Kashmiri student told DNA.
"Classes were suspended thereafter and all of this happened in the presence of the director and several faculty members," said another eyewitness, claiming that many teachers of the institute, who hail from Kashmir, joined the protesting students.
Meanwhile, Institute Director Rakesh Sehgal told DNA that it was a "peaceful protest" and that no anti-government slogans were raised. "A group of students protested silently with placards, but not against the Army or the government. They were protesting the death of the civilians during the encounter," Sehgal said.
Meanwhile, separatists used the civilian deaths to call for a bandh on Thursday.
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