Dogs unleash terror in Kashmir University ‘Students, staffers feel unsafe’

Srinagar: Dogs have unleashed a terror at Kashmir University, which is valley’s premier education institution, students and professors complained.

Fear from a sudden increase in the population of stray dogs has gripped Kashmir University (K.U) with students suspecting the canines were being brought from other areas.

Authorities at K.U have failed to curb the growing population of dogs inside the campus posing threat to the students and teachers. Students undergoing various degree courses at Hazratbal campus complained that dogs can be seen in every nook and corner of the varsity.

University students have now appealed authorities to throw dogs out of the varsity as they have bitten number of them and are scaring hundreds of enrolled students.

Sameer Ahmad a student said the students who have to attend early morning classes are compelled to enter the campus in groups to avoid any attack by the dogs. “We try to leave the campus as immediately as we can, in order to reach home safely, because dozens of dogs are waiting for their prey near Sir Syed gate of the campus,” he said.

A girl student Rehana Mumtaz, who visits library on daily basis said dogs remain present outside the Allama Iqbal Library and many students skip visiting the place due to fear. She said although many complaints to authorities nothing has changed so far.

A delegation of students said: “We request to get this plea to the administration about the menace of stray dogs in university. Those dogs have caused havoc and problem for students. There are over dozens of dogs in the campus and nobody is taking any step to throw them out of campus even when the problem was addressed to the administration dozens of times.”

According to media reports, over the years Kashmir University has turned a free zone for stray dogs as dozens of them are seen roaming in the main campus, feasting on the leftover food from the varsity canteens.

The canine fear increases manifold during evening hours as scholars and students fear venturing out.

“The leftover food produced in university canteens is thrown in open which attracts these dogs. They have created fear among the students as well as the faculty members,” said a university student Arjumand Jan.

She added that there are around 150-200 dogs in the campus. The university has become breeding ground for them.

A professor Arshid Ahmad at the campus said: “Last week during evening hours I was leaving the university campus when I saw group of nearly a dozen dogs outside my department and I could not dare to walk. I went back to the department and requested my colleagues to escort me to my car.” The professor said that students are fearful to walk alone in the campus.

A senior university official expressed helplessness to curb on the issue. “Government should take this issue with Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to remove the dogs from the varsity,” said the official.

He added: “Reason for the presence of dogs is throwing of food items openly as the students don’t use dustbins. We are soon planning to come out with a new strategy to counter the dog menace so that students get relief from the stray dogs.”

 

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