The Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) on Tuesday lambasted the state administration and central government for failing to prevent attacks on Kashmiri students in outside colleges.
The association in a statement said that such attacks and harassment on students was systematically blocking every chance of creation of quality colleges and universities in private sector in Kashmir.
“It is like our students are being pushed in between rock and hard place. The attacks on students have scarred the soul of younger generation. Many have even left their certificates and huge fee behind and vowed never to go back,” said PSAJK chairman G N Var.
He said the liaison officers and helplines were proving too little and too late. “There is complete panic among students and their parents alike here. Students are being thrown out of hostels, private accommodation and even boycotted by shopkeepers,” said Var. “In such situation parents are asking us why we don’t have such colleges here in Kashmir, so that students would have remained safe.” The Association blamed the government for repeatedly blocking any moves initiated by private school association to establish new colleges and universities in J&K state. “Right now there are around 100 files pending in government offices for the want of clearance for establishment of private colleges,” said Var.