New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who was here yesterday on her maiden visit after taking over the reins of the state, dismissed the possibility of shifting National Institute of Technology (NIT) out of the Valley.
The 56-year-old, who assumed charge of the PDP-BJP government on April 4, called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh here. Sources said that the controversy surrounding the NIT Srinagar was also discussed in the meeting between the two leaders.
During the meeting, Rajnath Singh asked the J&K Chief Minister to ensure a safe and comfortable atmosphere for the students of the institute.
"Rajnath Singh conveyed to J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti that environment should be made such that students feel safe and comfortable," sources told media.
As she was leaving the North Block, journalists asked her questions about the unrest at the NIT and the demand by outstation students to shift the campus to Jammu.
"Let me make it clear that it is an issue within the institute and please do not give it a colour of local versus outsiders. The Human Resources Development Ministry is looking into the grievances of the outstation students and I am hopeful that it will be resolved soon. As far as demands of some students to shift the NIT campus out of Srinagar is considered, let me make it clear that it won't be possible," she said.
To a question that many outstation students had not appeared in the examination that began on Monday, she said, "Some students were not prepared for exams. Their exams would be conducted later. Some students have gone back to their homes because of the environment."
Around 1,500 non-Kashmiri students of the institute vacated their hostel rooms and left for their homes. The students said they were asked by the authorities to appear for the examinations if they remain inside the campus.
NIT-Srinagar has around 1,500 non-local students, who have been boycotting classes following clashes between a group of non-local students and police last week.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) troopers have been deployed inside the campus while police are stationed at the campus gates to ensure security.
Trouble broke out at the campus when groups of local and outstation students clashed following India's defeat at the hands of West Indies in the semi-final match of T20 Cricket World Cup on March 31.
With PTI Inputs
