Srinagar, Mar 15 (KNS): The mainstream political parties in the state are angry over the Union Home Ministry asking West Bengal police to collect details of students from Jammu and Kashmir from the state’s educational institutions.
Reacting to the reports in an English daily, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah urged West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to look into reports.
"Dear @MamataOfficial, can you please look in to this police order? Info gathering shouldn't become harassment," Omar wrote on his Twitter handle.
The National Conference working president also asked the Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien to look into the issue.
"Why are these students being singled out? cc @quizderek Police asks Kolkata colleges to give details of J&K students," Omar asked.
Provincial president of NC, Nasir Alsam Wani said that it is very unfortunate that Kashmiri students will be snooped on in other states of the country.
“It is not a right thing to do. If the students don’t feel safe in the country, where else will they go for studies or work. Such harsh steps will certainly make Kashmiri students feel insecure in other states,” Wani said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
The state Congress party said that such steps by the BJP-led government are not suitable in a democratic country.
“Snooping and collecting details of the Kashmiri students will make them feel scared. Young people are looking to the country for their future, but such steps create a negative impression in the young minds here,” JK Congress chief GA Mir told KNS.
Peoples Democratic Party said that “it is a very wrong decision”.
“Our children move to other states in the country for jobs and studies. But when they are harassed there by the state police and goons, how will they think of leaving their homes to go outside. Youth are already suppressed here. When they face the same situation outside then how is it going to reflect back in their minds,” PDP General Secretary Rafi Mir said.
A report in the English daily, Indian Express, has quoted a note from Kolkatta police saying to a VC of university saying, "Please let me know that students, whose residential addresses is under the State of Jammu and Kashmir, studies in your Institution for onwards transmission to the Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block, New Delhi, Govt. of India." (KNS)