7 Kashmiri students 'abused, targeted' faculty, non-Kashmiris for supporting India in World Cup finals, booked in UAPA

Seven students of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal for allegedly abusing, threatening and targeting a faculty member during India-Australia World Cup 2023 final match on 19 November.

The faculty member of the varsity alleged that he was targeted for supporting team India during World Cup match.

The faculty also said the students raised anti-India slogans on the day of World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia.

The students also allegedly cheered and celebrated India’s loss in the World Cup 2023.

As per reports, the students have been booked under section 13 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Sections 505 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code related to public mischief and criminal intimidation.

Apart from the faculty member, the students also allegedly threatened other pupils from outside the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

“A student from Punjab has complained about the seven final year students of SKUAST – K (Shuhama campus) that he was threatened with dire consequences after Australia defeated India in the men’s cricket World Cup 2023 final on November 19,” reports quoted a senior police official as saying.

The cop further said that an FIR has been registered on the basis of a written complaint by Sachin Bains, a resident of Punjab and a student of the university, against seven final year students of the SKUAST – K (Shuhama campus).

The Kashmiri students named by the complainant have been identified as Umer, Asif, Mohsin, Tauqeer, Khalid, Sameer and Ubaid.

“Further investigation in the case is currently underway,” the senior police officer said.

In the complaint, the student has named seven local Kashmiri students enrolled at the university’s veterinary sciences and animal husbandry department who allegedly “abused” and “threatened” him for supporting India.

They “also threatened me to shut up otherwise I would be shooted [sic],” the complaint reads.

With inputs from agencies