Women’s college students resist move to shift them to new campus at Zakura
Srinagar: The students of New Women College Srinagar on Wednesday staged a protest against the government’s decision to shift them to other colleges operating in the city.
Scores of students assembled at Press Enclave and staged a protest against the government’s decision.
The students said they were enrolled in New Women’s College Srinagar but were now asked to shift to Amar Singh College and Government Degree College Nawakadal.
“We don’t understand why we have to shift to other colleges at this juncture? We won’t go to other colleges,” said a student.
The protesting students said they are being asked to shift to other two colleges as the department was mulling to make the newly established new women’s College functional at Zakura. Till now, the college was functioning from a make shift library block of the Amar Singh College.
Meanwhile, an official said the higher education department has given the directions to the college for shifting these students to NawaKadal College and Amar Singh College as most of the students enrolled in the college belong to Budgam district and cant travel to Zakura.
“Also, Zakura doesn’t fall in catchment area for these students so they have to be adjusted in the nearby colleges,” the official said. He said maximum students enrolled in the college are from Chadura area of Budgam district.
The official said they have asked the college authorities to convene meeting with the parents of students regarding the issue and take a decision accordingly.
“Some students from Batamaloo and other areas are insisting to come to Zakura for which the college administration will hold a meeting with their parents in the college campus,” the official said.
The official said it won’t be possible for students of Budgam district to cover a journey of 40 kilometres on daily basis to reach their college in Zakura.
“For them, the government has given two options of Amar Singh College and NawaKadal College,” he said.
Already, secretary higher education department convened a review meeting with college principals of Kashmir division wherein it was informed that the infrastructure and other necessary facilities of New Women’s College Srinagar, Batpora were accomplished. In wake of this it was decided that the college shall be entirely shifted from Amar Singh College campus to its new building at Batpora.
“However, the students who are presently enrolled in this college shall be adjusted in the nearby colleges-Amar Singh College or Women’s College Nawakadal Srinagar as per their convenience,” the official said, while referring to minutes of the meeting.
KV Correspondent
