Internal exams at the National Institute of Technology, Srinagar (NITS), concluded peacefully on Monday, May 9, 2016. This comes as a great relief to the students and authorities alike.
The Institute had been in the news for all the wrong reasons. The violent clashes that had erupted between groups of resident and non-resident students from the state after India’s loss to West Indies had disrupted the peace on the campus. Following the unrest, a group of students moved to the Capital and started their protest. The students met the officials of HRD Minister and presented a set of 19 demands; they returned to Srinagar only after receiving an assurance that their demands have been accepted and will be met soon.
The crisis led to the suspension of classes and postponement of the exam. The protesting students were back on the campus and classes resumed from April 25. A fourth-year student, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, “Our exams were conducted in a proper manner. We (non-locals) and local students continue to speak to each other, there are no hard feelings between us.”
PaGaLGuY spoke to Prof. F.A. Mir, Registrar, NITS, about the conduct of exams. He said, “The exams were held from May 5 to May 8. The attendance of students was satisfactory.”
Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) soldiers have been camping inside NITS to ensure peace. The fourth-year student also said that presence of these soldiers is reassuring for the students.
With the exams over, students are waiting for the fact-finding committee to submit its report. The committee, which consists of two external members, is expected to give its report by May 15, 2016.