Omar Abdullah blames Narendra Modi for student attacks

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has blamed his counterpart from Gujarat and BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, for the latest attack on Kashmiri students of a private university in Greater Noida by fellow students.

Mr Abdullah while speaking at election rallies in Baramulla constituency on Monday accused Mr Modi of indulging in anti-Kashmiri campaign and instigating university students against Kashmiri boys and girls seeking education in various universities of the country.

“For mere political gain Narendra Modi is playing with the fire,” he said, terming his utterances uncalled for and dangerous and that these would create distress and dismay in the minds of young generation.

Three Kashmiri students from Noida International University were beaten up and forced to shout “anti-Pakistan” slogans allegedly by fellow students on Saturday night. According to reports, the incident occurred at an apartment block in Sector Pi in Greater Noida that serves as a common hostel for BTech students of various universities.

Six students, all attending private colleges, barged into the Kashmiri students’ room, beat and forced them to shout slogans against Pakistan. After the incident, the Kashmiri students were shifted to another hostel. Mr. Abdullah has instructed senior IAS officer, Lokash Kumar Jha, who is posted as J&K Resident Commissioner in New Delhi to ascertain the facts of the incident. “I’m sending the Resident Commissioner from Delhi to visit the university in question to ascertain all the facts before deciding next steps,” Mr Abdullah said on micro-blogging site Twitter.

He has also urged the chief ministers of all the states to ensure safety of Kashmiri students and “debar such politicians to address university students who flair up communal and regional tension and generate hatred against Kashmiri students.”