Poonch, Leh might get CU campus: AG Malik

PS BALI

After strong resentment of Ladakhi students, now its students from Poonch, who are demanding establishment of Central University in Poonch. Irked with the apathy of government towards this border area, students from Poonch today approached Newspoint office to communiqué their plea for the set up of CU at their border area.

“From past six decades we are being treated as the second class citizens of this state, confronting discrimination at every front. When the state government busy dealing in providing facilities to other regions of the state, they literally ignore this border area. From education to employment, we are craving for everything.” These were the words of Javed Hussain, an M Ed student from Poonch.

It seems perhaps wrong to say that regionalism in the state is extending its roots over the much hyped controversy of Central University, which was dedicated by center with the motive of promoting education system of the state.

The students from Poonch consider themselves as deprived breed of the state with ever biased treatment from authorities. They said that despite of having enormous facilities to the students of Jammu, government is again mulling to set CU in proximities of Jammu for vested interests of some politicians, ignoring border areas.

They said that on one side government is making tall claims of providing standardized education to the border areas and on the other side they are depriving students of border areas from quality education.

 “Samba which is spotted site for the establishment of CU is not as remote as Poonch is from Jammu, students from Samba can avail higher degrees from Jammu University, but for student of Poonch it is impossible,” said he, adding that Samba students can also take benefits of various Punjab Universities putting up in their proximity.

The Central University that was set to establish in Jammu remained always in news, right from the day it was declared to establish in Jammu. Firstly, it was planned to shift at Kashmir but after protests in Jammu by students, the plan was revoked. Pertaining to being impartial center announced one university each to both provinces.

After that the CU came to light for the appointment of the Vice Chancellor, where on one side central government was stressing to appoint outsiders, on the same side various political and non political organisations demanded local vice chancellor as is in Kashmir.

Notwithstanding demands of their own they are also seeking campus of the central university in the Leh.

“Alike students of Poonch, the students from Leh are also craving for the standardized education and are also sufferers of government apathy,” said an official of education department in Poonch over phone, wishing anonymity.

Talking to Newspoint minister of Higher Education, Abdul Gani Malik said that Samba is not identified for its student ratio; it is spotted because of availability of huge Kanals of land.

On whether any provision for Leh and Poonch students,’ minister said “we are working to resolve their issues and if everything goes right, we might establish campuses in these two areas.”