Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, May 15: At least five medical students were injured in a scuffle that broke out at Government Medical College Jammu after a material related to “the Kerala Story” was shared in WhatsApp group of one batch. However, ten students have been rusticated from the hostel for two months and also debarred from attending classes till completion of the enquiry.
A GMC student said that scuffle started when material related to “The Kerala Story” was shared by some student in the group following which other student objected to it.
He said during the dead of night some persons entered the campus with weapons and started attacking students in which five students got injured.
Students on Monday morning protested and demanded action against the culprits.
Principal GMC Jammu Dr Shashi Sudan said five students were injured in the scuffle and among them four have been already discharged while one more will be discharged soon.
She said that FIR has been already registered and action as per law will be taken against the culprits.
Being professional students, there is no scope to indulge in such activities and no one will be allowed to create disturbance in the campus.
A police official said that the scuffle broke out between students of the college and outsiders in the college hostel.
He said that a student was attacked with an iron rod and sustained serious head injuries with 12 stitches, who is undergoing treatment and condition is stable now.
He identified them as Haseeb from Bhaderwah, Arunesh from Udhampur, Akshit from Billawar, Aniket from Udhampur and Umar Farooq from Budgam.
A senior police official confirmed that the scuffle broke out between some students and outsiders in GMC Hostel Jammu in which one student was injured.
He said that police has already taken cognizance and has registered a case FIR No. 65/2023 u/s 147, 323 IPC and further investigation has been taken up.
Moreover, the authorities at GMC Jammu have decided to rusticate 10 students from the hostel for two months and also were debarred from attending classes till completion of enquiry.
Principal GMC Jammu Dr Shashi Sudan said that she personally met the students along with wardens of the Boys Hostels and the Faculty Members and was in the Boys Hostel till 05:00 A.M. on the intervening night of 14-15 2023.
“The students were assured of strict action against the offenders and a letter to register a case against an ex-student of GMC Jammu who participated in the scuffle was forwarded to SHO, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu. They were further assured of strict disciplinary action against the students involved in the scuffle,” she said.
Principal GMC Jammu said that as conveyed by SHO Police Station, Bakshi Nagar, Jammu, a case has been lodged under FIR number 66/2023. “As per the report of the wardens of the Boys Hostel, 10 students have been rusticated from the Hostel for two months and also debarred from attending the classes till the completion of the inquiry by the disciplinary committee of the institute,” she said.
“The reports of the warden Boys Hostel, has been forwarded to the Disciplinary Committee of the Institution for inquiry which has to be completed within 7 days. Additional eight security personnel and one security supervisor have been deployed in the Hostel for maintaining security 24×7,” Principal added.
She added that two different groups of Senior HoDs & Faculty Members along with chief Provost and Wardens of the Hostels (i.e. 2 groups of 7 members each) will visit and interact with the students in the Hostels i.e. UG and PG Hostel between 08-10 p.m. daily for next 04 days. They shall also have the dinner with the students.
“The Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu has been requested to take all precautionary measures including deployment of additional police personnel around the Hostel & GMC premises to avoid any law & order problems,” she added.
“Have received distressing calls from GMC Jammu, reporting that a group of Kashmiri students have been injured as a result of a recent altercation over the Kerala Story issue. 1 student was attacked with an iron rod & sustained head injuries with 12 stitches.” Nasir Khuehami, Jammu and Kashmir Students Association convenor tweeted.
“Kashmiri Students at GMC Jammu Assured of Timely Action and Support After Altercation. ADGP Jammu @MukeshSinghIPS Ji, holding special security Meeting to Address the Issue,” he tweeted later.
Meanwhile former Chief Ministers and political leaders have demanded investigation and action against the culprits.
Former CM and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti accused government of India of promoting and encouraging violence through movies stoking communal fires.
“Shocking that GOI promotes & encourages violence through movies stoking communal fires. The blood of innocents is being spilled to quench the BJPs insatiable thirst for petty electoral dividends. Request @OfficeOfLGJandK ji to take cognisance & punish the culprits”, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted.
Former CM and NC vice president demanded a time bound enquiry in this regard from the government and assure students that their safety will not be compromised at the alter of politics.
“Very distressing images of gunda elements targeting Kashmiri students in Jammu. @JmuKmrPolice must take cognisance of this & ensure those responsible are brought to book. @OfficeOfLGJandK must ensure this is done in a time-bound manner & reassure students that their safety will not be compromised at the alter of politics.” Omar Abdullah tweeted.
“The incident at GMC Jammu is reprehensible. These are young kids. And officers who are in charge have such young kids at home. Just hope that this issue is investigated in an unbiased and humane manner. I saw some pictures. They are scary. I request @OfficeOfLGJandK to ensure that corrective actions are taken so that they are not repeated in the future,” tweeted PC president Sajad Lone.
