Most educational institutions reopen in Jammu & Kashmir
| Date :20-Aug-2019 |
JAMMU: MOST educational institutions in five sensitive border districts of Jammu reopened after a fortnight on Monday with “full attendance” as authorities lifted curbs in large parts of the region, officials said. Jammu and Kashmir was placed under an unprecedented security cover and curfew-like restrictions on August 4, a day before the Centre revoked the State’s special status under Article 370 and bifurcated it into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Teachers reported to work in many schools in Kashmir as restrictions were eased further on Monday but not many students 9988were seen. Officials said the Government has made necessary arrangements for opening of 190 primary schools in Srinagar city as security forces remained deployed in most of the Valley. But all private schools in the city remained shut for the 15th consecutive day as parents were apprehensive about the security situation in view of violent protests over the past two days. Only Police Public School at Bemina and a few Kendriya Vidyalayas saw a handful of students turning up.
“There is so much uncertainty in the situation that sending kids to school at this stage is out of question,” Farooq Ahmad Dar, a parent, said. Officials in Baramulla district said schools in five towns remained closed. In the rest of the district, schools were opened, they said. “There is no relaxation in restrictions in Pattan, Palhalan, Singhpora, Baramulla and Sopore towns. Primary schools in the rest of the district are open. We are collecting details about the number of students who have reported at their respective schools,” an official said. A senior Srinagar district official said a few schools on the periphery were opened but in the old city and in civil lines areas, they remained shut due to violence over the past two days. Markets in the Valley were shut while public transport remained off roads.
The movement of private vehicles in the city increased after restrictions were eased. Educational institutions reopened in the border districts of Jammu of Rajouri and Poonch and Chenab Valley districts of Ramban, Doda and parts of Kishtwar, the officials said. The overall security situation remained peaceful throughout the region and educational institutions saw “full attendance”, they said. Earlier on August 10, the educational institutions in five other districts of the region -- Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Udhampur and Reasi -- had reopened after authorities announced lifting of prohibitory orders.
“All educational institutions across the district, both private and Government, including degree colleges and higher secondary schools, resumed classes (on Monday),” deputy commissioner, Rajouri, Aijaz Asad, told PTI. The situation in the district remained peaceful with markets reopening and traffic plying normally, he added. Asad said the prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code also stand withdrawn as the law and order situation has been normal. Markets have also opened. In Poonch district, the officials said barring higher secondary schools and colleges, all educational institutions have reopened and people have resumed their normal activities.
All shops and business establishments are open and traffic is plying normally, they said, adding that the higher secondary schools and colleges are likely to reopen on Tuesday. Deputy commissioner, Kishtwar, Angrez Singh Rana, said a number of private schools reopened in the district on their own as the law and order situation in the communally sensitive district remained well under control. “We are officially resuming classwork in all Government-run educational institutions from Tuesday. A series of meetings were held with the concerned stakeholders who have extended their support to the district administration in maintaining peace,” he said.
NSA briefs Shah on situation
NEW DELHI: NATIONAL Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Monday briefed Home Minister Amit Shah on the prevailing security situation in J&K, where restrictions have been imposed since August 5. This was for the first time that Doval met Shah after his return from Valley, where he personally monitored the situation.
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and other top officials also attended the meeting. that reviewed the steps taken to maintain the law and order situation in the State. The issues related to restrictions imposed in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir were also figured in the meeting, the official said.
The restrictions were imposed on communication links and movement of people in J&K on August 5 following the Centre’s move to abrogate provisions of Article 370. that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the State into Union Territories. However, restrictions have gradually lifted in some areas in Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley, but the curb is still continuing in many parts.