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Hyderpora attack accused to attend regular classes
Naveed-ul-Islam, a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) student who was allegedly involved in the high-profile Hyderpora militant attack that left eight Army personnel dead earlier this year, has been allowed to attend regular classes at the Kashmir University by the Jammu and Kashmir high court.
Naveed-ul-Islam, a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) student who was allegedly involved in the high-profile Hyderpora militant attack that left eight Army personnel dead earlier this year, has been allowed to attend regular classes at the Kashmir University by the Jammu and Kashmir high court.
"The court last month issued an order to the authorities to provide all facilities to Islam so he could pursue MCA in the department concerned as a regular student," said Mir Shafqat Hussain, Islam's lawyer.
"As per the Constitution, Islam has every right to pursue his education. His role in the attack has not been established, so he is innocent until proven guilty," he added.
Islam was arrested on September 6 for his alleged role in the June 24 attack wherein an Army convoy was stopped by the attackers on the highway near Srinagar, and all eight soldiers aboard a vehicle were killed.
The attack was carried out on the eve of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to the Valley.
Inspector general of police Abdul Gani Mir had said Islam, a resident of Mochwa area of central Kashmir's Budgam district, and Bilal Ahmad Lone "provided logistics to two Lashkar-e-Toiba attackers".
Mir had said Islam was in contact with Abu Qasim, a top militant commander, for the last two years.
"Although he was not involved in any incident previously, he had accompanied them," the IGP had said.
Islam will be ferried every day from Srinagar's central jail to the north campus, 55km away from Srinagar.
The varsity's north campus has expressed willingness to make the arrangements for Islam's studies.
"We are ready to have him in the classroom as a regular student. He will be treated like any other student in the class, as per the court orders. He has been a student here," said the teacher in-charge of the course.
He said, "To compete for the fourth semester examinations, Islam is supposed to attend both practical and theoretical classes."
Islam qualified for the course in 2012, and was earlier a science student at Srinagar's Amar Singh College.
Director general of police (prisons) K Rajendra said, "All arrangements will be made as per the court order."
