Because of their regional and religious identity have prompted the city police to step in, with a senior officer saying that a police team has visited the locality and spoken to residents and members associated with the residential colony, allegations that two Kashmiri pharmacy students in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal were being intimidated and pressured to vacate their rented accommodation.
The allegations have now reached the Bhopal Police. “The local police team has rushed to the concerned locality in the evening. Our team has talked to the local residents, including those associated with the concerned residential colony/society and the matter is being duly taken care off. The police intervention assumes significance as JKSA claims the alleged intimidation has already begun affecting the students’ everyday lives and education. The association has urged the Chief Minister to direct Bhopal Police and the district administration to independently verify the allegations, speak directly to the students and take legal action against anyone found responsible. With hostel facilities reportedly unavailable, JKSA has also sought the administration’s intervention to arrange secure accommodation close to the institution if an alternative becomes necessary.
Because of intimidation or pressure while the matter is being investigated, it has specifically requested that neither student be compelled to vacate the accommodation.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bhopal Zone IV, Adarshkant Shukla said the entire matter had come to the police’s notice and a local police team was immediately sent to the area. It will be ensured that the landlord isn’t pressured by anyone to get the accommodation vacated by the two students,” Shukla said. It said the college administration should coordinate with police and district officials and ensure that the controversy does not affect the students’ attendance, examinations, academic progress or scholarship benefits.
