While agitations at the National Institute of Technology in Srinagar continue, Jammu and Kashmir police said that they had identified around 20 student protestors who rioted last week after India lost the World Twenty20 semifinals, The Hindu reported. Following clashes that night, a group of outstation students have been protesting at the university and demanding they be sent home. The administration on Thursday reportedly offered the outstation students safe passage home and separate exams, according to The Hindu.
The Human Resource Development Ministry had sent a team to the university after local police lathicharged a group of outstation students who protested on Tuesday. The incident has been criticised by Opposition leaders, who have attacked newly-appointed Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. The state government has ordered an investigation into the violence, and asked for a report within 15 days, and has stepped up security at the university. Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh has also promised the students will be kept safe.
Local police have reportedly defended themselves on social media, and said they lathicharged students because some had begun pelting stones at security personnel, India Today reported.
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