Jammu, Feb 12. Law students on Thursday blocked the Jammu–Samba National Highway, demanding establishment of a National Law University in Jammu, leading to massive traffic disruption for several hours.
A large number of students assembled on the highway and staged a sit-in protest, raising slogans and halting vehicular movement on the busy stretch. The blockade resulted in long queues of vehicles on both sides, causing inconvenience to commuters.
The protesting students said Jammu deserves a National Law University on the lines of other states and Union Territories, arguing that aspirants are forced to move outside the region for quality legal education. They asserted that the absence of such an institution deprives local students of opportunities and increases financial burden on families.
Police personnel reached the spot and made repeated attempts to persuade the students to clear the highway. Officials faced a tough time in restoring normalcy as protesters continued their agitation for hours.
After sustained efforts by the police and senior officers, the students eventually dispersed, and traffic movement was gradually restored.
The students warned that they would intensify their protest if their demand for establishment of a National Law University in Jammu is not addressed at the earliest.