Despite strike called by separatists, thousands of students on Sunday appeared in NEET examinations across the Kashmir valley. Students, including women, appeared in the examinations at centres set up by the authorities across the valley. Since no passenger transport was available, students were seen reaching their respective centers in private vehicles, three wheelers and two wheelers in the valley, including Srinagar.
A number of students said they reached the examination centre covering the distance from their houses on foot. In the down town and Shehar-e-Khas (SeK), where authorities had imposed restrictions since early this morning, students were allowed by the security forces. Meanwhile, Police had established helpline in all the districts and some important towns of the valley to facilitate students, especially NEET aspirants, to appear in competitive examination on Sunday. The helpline had been setup in the backdrop of a strike called by separatists against the killing of a youth, who was hit by a security force vehicle during clashes in downtown Srinagar on Saturday.
A police official said that for the convenience of students especially NEET aspirants who appeard in the NEET examination, Police had established a helpline in each District and some towns, including Awantipora, Handwara and Sopore. “Roll No slips of the students shall be treated as Curfew Passes. Students can also reach us at Dail 100,” he added.