On Friday, Clashes sparked between students of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Hazratbal in Srinagar aftermath to India’s defeat against West Indies in Mumbai in the World Cup T20 semi-final. This led authorities to shut down institute until further notice.

Late Thursday night, two engineering student groups at NIT, one from other state (non-locals) and one from Kashmir (locals), fought as local students burst crackersfollowing India’s defeat by West Indies.

On Friday afternoon, the non-local student group has protested a march inside the campus. This triggered clashes and cops have rushed immediately to the spot to get the situation under control. Students smashed window panes and damaged college property.

According to a student, non-locals have objected celebrations over India’s defeat.Kashmiri students raised pro-Pakistan slogans where as anti-Pakistan and pro-India slogans were raised by the non-local students, said the police.

AM Bhat,NIT deputy registrar, said that the college would be closed until further notice and students were made to vacate the hostel.

Condemning the physical attack on the students of Kashmir, Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that such attacks are calibrated as means to frighten Kashmiri students.

-Sumana