MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Students of University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) have warned to close all educational institutions across Azad Kashmir from Monday if their demands are not met.
Students announced the ‘charter of demands’ after a violent clash between students and police in Muzaffarabad, which led to the arrest and injury of several students. They released the statement hours after the police released all the students, who were arrested during their protest in UAJK’s City Campus.
In a statement, the student body announced a protest movement in case their demands are not met, which are as follows:
1) The students’ union should be restored immediately
2) Commissioner ACDC and Vice Chancellor should be suspended or should resign
3) An agreement should be made between the university and the students not to take any retaliatory action against any student
3) The papers that have been lost should be included in the schedule before the remaining papers
4) Students should be given the right to check and see the papers in the ongoing and upcoming papers
5) After today, no students should be picked up during the paper fee or for any other reason
6) A written apology should be given for the violence and the unavoidable conversation with the students by the administration
7) The Bar Council should appoint a judicial commission to settle the matter involving the judges of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
8) An inquiry should be conducted into the allegations of corruption against the Vice Chancellor and all scholarships should be made public
“If the following demands are not resolved by Monday, students have the right to protest by completely closing all educational institutions in Azad Kashmir for an indefinite period,” the statement said, adding that the current government, Vice Chancellor and administration will be responsible for all these results.
Following the joint meeting, the student representatives have asked for the support of the Joint Awami Action Committee against the “injustice done to them.”
“Students Action Committee has always stood with Jammu and Kashmir JAAC, now we need you,” the statement added.
JAAC shows full support
Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of Jammu and Kashmir has also condemned the baton-charge and tear-gas shelling on students and affirmed their support with students. “Whatever plan of action the students will give, we are with the students,” the JAAC said.
Student leader and member of Joint Awami Action Committee, Raja Saeed Javed, has demanded a FIR against the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assitant Commissioner, and Vice Chancellor.
Member JAAC Chaudhry Imtiaz Aslam also strongly condemned the violence on Muzaffarabad students, calling it “the worst example of barbarity” on the part of the government and administration.
He warned the government to immediately resolve the issues of the students and conduct an inquiry and take legal action against those involved in this action. “Otherwise, the responsibility for the worsening situation will fall on the government,” he said.
