After AIIMS protests in Jammu, Kashmir MLA starts stir for Valley

SRINAGAR: J&K Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid continued with his sit-in for the second day today pressing the Centre to sanction the premier institutes of IIM, IIT and IIMC for Kashmir Valley.

"I want the whole Kashmir to unite to pressurize New Delhi to sanction an IIT, an IIM and an IIMC here. When Jammu got AIIMS after an agitation, why can't we have these institutions in the Valley," he said.

Rashid, who represents north Kashmir's Langate in the assembly, had began his protest near the Civil Secretariat - the seat of Jammu and Kashmir government here yesterday.

He, along with his associates, stayed there for the night.

The Centre had initially sanctioned one AIIMS for the state which was to come up in Kashmir, while Jammu was sanctioned the other institutions.

However, after a widespread agitation in Jammu, the Centre announced the setting up of an AIIMS-like facility in the Jammu region as well.