Srinagar/UNI: Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said slapping of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act against students for cheering the winning cricket team shows the "ruthless mindset" of the establishment towards youngsters in J&K.

Seven Kashmiri students of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology were arrested and booked under the UAPA after another non-local student complained that he was allegedly threatened and pro-Pakistan slogans were raised following Australia’s victory against India in the cricket World Cup November 19.

Mufti urged J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to look into the matter.

"Disconcerting & shocking that cheering for a winning team too has been criminalised in Kashmir. Normalising slapping of draconian laws like UAPA on journalists, activists & now students reveals the ruthless mindset of the establishment towards youngsters in J&K.

"Hearts & minds of people through barrel of a gun. Request @manojsinha_ ji to look into this," Mufti said in a post on X.