Medical students 'thrashed' by STF men

Nishwan Rasool:

Srinagar, September 17: At a time when doctors are needed more than ever before in the Valley, Munsheeb (name changed), a 23-year-old, sixth semester student of Government Medical College who decided to appear for his exams today despite the trying circumstances was ‘trashed by the Special Task Forces on his way to the hospital in Srinagar’.

Speaking to Kashmir Dispatch, Munsheeb said, “After a notification was issued from the College authorities we decided to travel last night to get to our hostel. We were traveling in sumo with six other students of our college when some Special Task Force (STF) personnel tried to stop us in Islamabad Chowk. We requested them that to grant us permission as we had to appear for exams but they start harassing us.”

Recounting the incident where he received cuts and scars because of the violence, Munsheeb said, “They harassed us and went on a rampage. The girls were loudly crying and shouting for mercy but they just laughed and continued beating us. It was really unlawful and we were terrified,” said a student of GMC who wish to keep his anonymous

Ironically, there were some JKP policemen in the vehicle with Munsheeb, “A policeman took his head out of the window, saying, ‘I am from the police department and we have to go to our area for duty.’ But even they weren’t spared by the STF.”

Munsheeb described how the policemen were dragged by their hair outside the vehicle. He added, “Somehow, the cops managed to get back into the car. Our driver drove the car in reverse but they chased us. The car rammed into a road barrier but the driver managed to keep the control. The STF threw their batons at our car’s windows. The glass windows shattered on to my face causing some scratches.”

“We can’t afford to miss our exams as it would badly affect our career. It would show on our certificate that we have re-appeared,” he lamented from a friend’s house in Kokernag, Islamabad.

A status update on Munsheeb’s wall encapsulates what every student is the Valley is going through since the authorities insist on holding exams despite the unbearable conditions that prevail, “I miss my college. I miss my batch mates. I miss my friends... I call this life... so I miss my life.”