Govt attaches Pulwama College Principal

Srinagar, Apr 18: The government has attached the Principal of Government Degree College Pulwama following the assault on students by forces this week that evoked widespread students’ protests and condemnation across Kashmir.
The principal, Professor Abdul Hamid Sheikh, has been attached to Director Colleges yesterday “till pending inquiry” and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir will inquire into the incidents that led to protests and submit the report to the department within seven days, sources in the Higher Education Department told KNS.
Sources said that a senior most teacher of the college will replace him as head of the college. As per sources, “no reason” has been given for his attachment.
The principal was not available for comments.
Meanwhile, the college has submitted the information about the sequence of events that led to the assault of students which provoked students to protests and clashes.
At least 54 students were injured in the college in clashes between students and forces in Pulwamaon Saturday. Though the police had said that students of the college pelted their vehicles with stones, the college authorities had said that police barged into the college premises assaulted the students.
The principal had “pleaded” before the police not to barge into the premises. However, his pleased were not “listened to”.
On Monday, widespread protests were held by students of universities, colleges and higher secondary schools, forcing the government to shut down educational institutions for two days. However, the protests continue today in Sopore, Baramulla, Kangan and Bandipora. (KNS)