New Delhi: The central advisory on Jammu and Kashmir youths studying in educational institutions across all states and Union Territories had not sought their details but only requested the state police to ensure their “protection” and “handle incidents affecting them with utmost care and sensitivity”. In the advisory dated February 23, the home ministry, while citing the background of students from J&K, pointed out how “there is a perception among the people of J&K that their wards are being treated with suspicion and hostility outside the state”. “It is requested to ensure the protection of students from J&K. Incidents affecting the students may be handled with utmost care and sensitivity,” the advisory, which has been reviewed by TOI, told chief secretaries/adminstrators of all states/UTs.
A home ministry official said contrary to reports in a section of the media that seem to give the impression that the note from Kolkata Police asking all colleges in the city to give details of students from J&K was issued at the behest of the Centre, the purpose of its advisory was to save them from facing any discrimination or hostility on grounds of their domicile.
The Kolkata Police note had asked principals of all colleges to let them “know that students, whose residential address is under the state of J&K, studies in your institution, for onwards transmission to the ministry of home affairs, North Block, New Delhi, Government of India”.(ToI)
