Two Kashmiri PhD scholars studying at IIT Kanpur have been missing for more than fifteen days, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said on Sunday. Both scholars had joined IIT Kanpur in 2019 and were continuing their PhD research. They disappeared weeks apart. One has not been seen since October 18, while the other has been missing since November 10.
The association said officials at the institute told them they have no information about where the two students went. Security on the campus has now been increased as several agencies, including the Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorism Squad, the state police, the Local Intelligence Unit and other security teams, have started a detailed investigation. Officials are checking student records, tracking movement inside the campus and collecting information to understand how the two scholars went missing.
The association also said that the Uttar Pradesh government and the police headquarters have asked for a detailed report on nearly one hundred and fifty Kashmiri students currently living in Kanpur. A representative from the association said, “We are worried about the safety of the missing scholars and also about the well being of all Kashmiri students on campus.” They added, “We request the authorities to speed up the investigation and ensure that every student feels safe.”
