Shutdown in Jammu over university site issue

Jammu, Aug 10 (ANI): A complete shutdown is being observed here following the call given by the Central University Andolan Samiti (CUAS) on Monday over the issue of the site for the central university.

Reportedly, the CUAS, a student group supported by traders and other groups, call comes after they failed to procure a written assurance from the government that the university would be established in the Jammu region.

Shops and business establishments remained closed. However, some private vehicles were plying as usual.

The Central Government had earlier announced that a central university will be set up in Jammu and Kashmir, and Samba, 40 kilometres from Jammu, had been identified as the site for the institution by the State Government.

But later, there was reportedly a proposal to shift it to the Kashmir Valley, triggering discontent amongst the students.

There have also been demands for twin campuses for the central university, in both Jammu and Kashmir regions.

The student groups supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party and other regional groups have been agitating against the decision.

"Despite the government's strictness, Jammu is closed.

Transport is non operational, though the government tried to persuade the transport operators. The government should think that they are making an issue out of a non-issue. The deputation that had gone from here to the Central Government, even they were told that there would be just one university here," said Romesh Arora, a BJP spokesperson.

There have been student protests, demonstrations, and boycott of classes for the last 15 days over the issue.

The student groups have also threatened to boycott the Independence Day celebrations on August 15. (ANI)