27 arrested Kashmiri students languish in custody

Bangalore, Apr 5 (UNI) Twenty-eight students, including 27 Kashmiris arrested for indulging in clashes in a minority engineering college in Ramanagaram, near here, on Tuesday, were still languishing in custody for want of surety to come out on bail.

The students, including one from Bihar, were arrested by the police on Tuesday after they clashed over some misunderstanding between two groups of students - from Kashmir and Bihar - at Ghousia College of Engineering in Ramanagaram.

Bangalore Rural Superintendent of Police K Srinivas, speaking to UNI, said the arrested could not be released on bail as no one had come forward to provide surety. ''We have asked the college management to provide surety and get the boys released. I categorically deny that there was any discrimination or victimisation of the Kashmiri students. When they indulge in clashes using batons, what can the police do, but take them into custody.'' Speaking to UNI, Director General of Police K R Srinivasan denied that the Kashmiri students were being victimised. ''We are not biased against students of any particular State. There was an inquiry from the Union Government and I have clarified the matter to the officials,'' he said.

Meanwhile, reports said People's Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti, MP, spoke to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy over telephone, expressing concern over the arrest of Kashmiri students.

She also alleged that the Karnataka police were biased against the Kashmiri students and requested the Chief Minister to look into it.

Mr Kumaraswamy, reports said, had assured Ms Mufti that he would look into the matter and ensure that no Kashmiri student was put into trouble unnecessarily.

UNI