Kashmiri students in Kerala borrow to make ends meet

Kohi: The tough climate in Kashmir is hitting majority of Kashmiri students in Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) hard as they are being forced to borrow money from friends in Kerala for their living. The students complain that in the wake of the communication logjam after abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, they are not able to contact their parents, relatives or friends in the home state and are not able to get financial support also.

There are over 30 students from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions put together in the main campus, lakeside campus and Kuttanand campus put together, according to Sopore native Athar Hussain Malla, who is a BTech 6th semester student in Computer Engineering at School of Engineering on the main campus.

“Now I am left with Rs 1000 from the money that I borrowed after the money in my account exhausted. I am not able to contact my parents or any relatives or friends to get money. I don’t know what to do after this too get exhausted. I need Rs 5000 a month for sustenance and it’s a precarious situation if things continue like this back home,” said Athar Hussain Mulla.

“In my knowledge some eight students in Cusat campuses from the Kashmir region are facing the financial crunch due to heavy restrictions. The rest are from either Jammu or Ladakh and there are no big restrictions in those regions and hence they don’t face problem,” said Athar Hussain Mulla.

Mudasar Amin, BTech Civil sixth semester student on the Kuttanad campus, who also hails from Sopore, said that his family members are incommunicado and he is also surviving on the financial support of Malayali friends here. “I am planning to go home during Onam vacation in a bid to get out of the tough situation,” he said.

Ubaid Yousuf, first year BTech Electrical and Electronics of School of Engineering, said that he is worried about the well-being of the family back home.

“Whether they are getting food or not, whether they are harmed or not, we are really concerned,” said Ubaid, hailing from Budgam district. He said that he has only the money left for one month. “If communications systems are not established by then, I will be forced to go home as there is no other option left. Many other students are also planning the same,” he said.

Harjeet Singh, BTech IT student from Jammu said that he is able to contact family members and is getting money also but internet is down in the region.