Amid increasing incidents of school buildings being burnt down in the Kashmir Valley and with even Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing concern over closure of educational institutions for almost three months now, Jammu and Kashmir governor N.N. Vohra met home minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday to discuss the prevailing security situation in the state.
Home ministry sources said the main issue discussed during the meeting was what steps can be initiated by the Centre and the state government to ensure reopening of schools at the earliest. All educational institutions have been shut in the Valley ever since the region witnessed unprecedented violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by security forces.
In addition, as many as 26 schools have been burnt down and the home ministry has already asked the state government to initiate tough measures to stop these incidents.
In a communication to the Mehbooba Mufti government, the Centre has directed that steps should be taken to ensure protection of schools that are vulnerable to attacks and make attempts for reopening of educational institutions.
“The Centre is very concerned about these incidents as the future of children is at stake. Their education is suffering a lot due to turbulence in the Valley and we need to take some immediate corrective measures now. Opening of schools and other educational institutions would be an important indicator that normalcy is returning to the Valley,’’ a senior home ministry official said.
According to intelligence sources, some hardline separatist elements are behind these incidents in an attempt to radicalise children at a young age as they want them to switch from schools to religious institutions or madrasas. Taking note of these incidents, even the Jammu and Kashmir high court had on Monday directed the police and civil administration to ensure protection of educational institutions and identify the “mysterious enemies of education” while dealing with them with an “iron hand”.
Mr Vohra also informed the home minister about the prevailing security situation in the Valley and steps taken to restore normalcy in the state as well as along the border, which has seen increasing incidents of ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops.
