Bisma Bhat
Srinagar: Hundreds of Kashmiri students are likely to miss Common Entrance Test (CET) as the Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) have decided to set up centers at Jammu.
COMEDK is conducting a common entrance examination on August 19 in different parts of the country. Jammu is the only city in the union territory where exam centers have been set up.
However, due to the prevailing situation, the students of Kashmir are unable to travel to Jammu.
“Due to the lockdown, my parents will not allow me to travel to Jammu. Probably I will miss the exams if the center is not set up in Kashmir. I have worked hard to prepare for this entrance test,” said Aaliya Aziz, an aspirant from the Kupwara district.
Farhan Akhtar, another aspirant said that they need permission to travel to Jammu and for that, they have to undergo COVID-19 tests which will take not less than a week.
“Exam is scheduled on August 19 and we do not have time to complete formalities to get permission. We request the concerned authorities to set up centers in Kashmir as well,” he added.
Parents of the aspirants have written to the Secretary COMED Karnataka urging him to set up a center at Srinagar.
“The government of Karnataka is conducting the Entrance Test on August 19. Keeping in view the prevailing situation, it is not possible to cover the journey of 300 km from Srinagar to Jammu. Most of the areas where we have to pass fall under containment or red zones,” reads the letter.
Sivaraman Kumar, an official associated with the COMEDK entrance examination did not respond to the repeated calls and messages from The Kashmir Monitor.
Meanwhile, J&K Students Association Spokesperson, Nasir Kheuhami said that they will get in touch with the concerned authorities in Karnataka and try to work out a solution.
