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Students Unfurl Pakistan Flag at the University of Kashmir

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, June 20: On Friday, the students in the higher seat of learning at the University of Kashmir, unfurled a Pakistani flag and raised pro-Pakistan and pro-freedom slogans during a protest demonstration.

Carrying placards and banners, hundreds of students assembled in the university campus on Friday morning to protest against the transfer of 40 hectares of land to Hindu religious association, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

Terming the transfer of land to the Hindu religious association as illegal, the protesting students demanded immediate cancellation of the land transfer.

"The Indian government is trying to change the demography of Kashmir by handing over land to the Hindu groups," said the students, adding, "India is following the tactics of Israel in Kashmir".

While raising the pro-Pakistan and pro-freedom slogans, the students unfurled the Pakistani flag on the campus. They also raised slogans in support of militants operating in Kashmir. "We are with the militants because they are fighting for our cause," said the protesting students.

One of the protesting students, Bilal Ahmad said, "We are fighting for the right to self determination that has been promised to us by the first Indian prime Minister. The resolutions in this regard are pending in the United Nations. We are not demanding the stars and moon. We are only demanding our birth right".

The protest demonstration of the students lasted for more than two hours. Afterwards, the agitating students dispersed off peacefully, but threatened that in case the transfer of land was not cancelled, they will intensify their agitation.

It is in place to mention here that a few days back, the youth raised pro-Pakistan and pro-freedom slogans during a soccer match in the summer capital, Srinagar. Police arrested 15 people for raising the slogans. All of them were later released on the court orders.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.