A number of first-year engineering students of National Institute of Technology, Srinagar (NIT-S), have attempted the JEE Main 2016 exam aiming for a better Institute. NIT-S, has been ranked 67 in the NIRF list of Top 100 Engineering Institutes in India. The reason for these non-local students to seek a different institute is not the infrastructural or the academic capabilities of NIT-S, but instead is the insecure atmosphere caused by the anti-national elements in Srinagar.

One of the first year students of NIT-S on the condition of anonymity spoke to PaGaLGuY, “Personally, looking at the issues that I have experienced over the year of my stay at NIT-S, I want to leave this institute. I am scared, taking my security into consideration. Post April 14 incident, my parents don’t want me to go back to the institute unless the Government guarantees security provisions for non- local students.”

The recent tiff between the local and the non-local students of National Institute of Technology, Srinagar (NIT S), may have possibly been triggered due to a cricket match. But this has not been the solitary incident when agitating forces from both the sides have tried to vent their aggression. The other not so viral incidents at NIT-S have also worsened the situation further, and has compelled the outstation students to take JEE.