Pulwama College principal shunted out

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government has removed the principal of Pulwama Degree College in south Kashmir where 54 students were injured on April 15 after police barged into campus and allegedly used excessive force.

Higher education department issued an order on Tuesday evening ‘attaching’ Sheikh to director colleges ‘till pending of inquiry into the incident’.

The principal, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, had criticised the police action and alleged that he had “pleaded, with hands folded, to the policemen not to enter into the premises as the tempers were high among students”. Police allegedly did not heed to his call.

In a video clip of the incident that went viral , Sheikh was purportedly seen shouting that cops should “kill the principal” first. The students were protesting the establishment of a check point outside the college.

Reportedly, the decision was taken in a meeting of the state cabinet led by chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday.

“Divisional commissioner, Kashmir, shall conduct the inquiry and submit its report to this department within 7 days,” the order signed by secretary, higher education, Asghar Samoon read. Director (colleges) Renu Goswami confirmed the development to HT.

The incident at Pulwama triggered protests by students across Kashmir on Monday during which over 60 students were injured. The college was closed for two days and further soured civilian-military relations in Kashmir with CM Mehbooba Mufti seeking a report.

The state human rights commission has also taken cognizance of the matter.