1,000 outstation students skip exams at NIT-Srinagar

Examinations were held at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) here as per the schedule on Monday. However, more than 1,000 outstation students skipped the exams, deciding to appearing in the the tests later.

NIT-Srinagar has a total of 2500 students. It is learnt that over 1,000 outstation students have decided to leave the campus due to the recent row.  “Around 500 students have already left the campus (in Srinagar), while another 500 students have also decided to leave,” a source said.

However, a substantial number of non-local students have stayed back to take the exams, he said.

The Board of Governors of NIT-Srinagar held a meeting in Srinagar, during which it was decided that attempts be made to restore normalcy at the institute at the earliest and academic activity be brought back on track, official sources said.

The meeting was told that some outstation students had appeared for examinations held on Monday and those, who could not write their papers, would be appearing on a later date.

It was suggested at the meeting that the faculty members should regularly interact with outstation students and also ensure a bonhomie between local and non-local students.

“Among other issues, the demand of students that their answersheets be externally evaluated was also put up for discussion. Some more consultations will be held and feedback taken. Then only a decision may be arrived at,” a senior official said.

The situation on campus was peaceful and no untoward incident was reported, said an NIT official. “The examinations started today as per the schedule. All local students and some outstation students appeared in today’s papers,” the official added.

Outstation students, who did not appear in the examinations, have been given an option by the HRD ministry to write the paper at a later date.

Meanwhile, the police thwarted a bid by three men from Delhi to enter the NIT campus to hoist the national flag. It must be noted that the institute has been witnessing tension since April 1.  They were part of a group of around 150 people from the national Capital, who were intending to go to NIT, but were detained in Jammu on Sunday.

The three, who gave a slip to the police and reached Srinagar, were detained outside the main gate of the institute.