Srinagar, Nov 06: Students of Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara staged a sit-in protest on Thursday, demanding immediate hostel accommodation, accusing the administration of ignoring repeated appeals.
The protesting students, mostly from the second-year batch said they have been forced to live in costly private rentals with poor living conditions.
Terming hostel accommodation a basic necessity, the protesting students carried placards reading “Accommodation for all” and “A room for every dream”.
The students said they are living six to a room, facing constant issues with water and electricity. “It was understandable not to have hostels in the initial phase, but we are in the second year now and still without accommodation,” a student said.
They said repeated pleas to the college administration have gone unheard. “We have been facing these issues for a year. It’s winter now and it’s difficult to survive without proper facilities,” another protester said.
Students also cited an order dated May 21, 2025, which directed officials to arrange a building for hostel purposes. “The order was issued months ago, yet the hostel was allotted to the junior batch while we were left out”, the students alleged.
They said the lack of hostels has hit students from economically weaker sections the most. “How can a student from a poor family afford Rs 10,000 per month on rent?” they added.
Meanwhile, MLA Handwara Sajad Lone visited the protesting students and assured them of a solution within two months. “If the administration fails to provide the facility within the time frame, you can come and stay at my home,” he told the students.
“It’s my promise, if authorities do not act, come straight to my home and reside there,” Lone added—(KNO)
