Defying separatists, increasing number of students returning to schools in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Despite the separatists' call for shutdown, the footfall of the students returning to schools in the valley has been going up slowly, with nearly 1.80 lakh attending the classes yesterday, which is roughly 40-45 per cent attendance.

Defying the diktats of the separatists, people in several parts of Kashmir have been coming out since yesterday to resume their day-to-day activities.

The unrest, which started a day after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, is showing signs of fatigue in the civil lines areas of the city as more people are coming out to resume their normal life.

As per the reports available, 1,78,953 students attended classes yesterday which is roughly 40-45 percent attendance compared to 70-75 per cent attendance during normal times, said officials, who compiled the figures.

The students returning to the schools has been outcome of the serious initiative taken by civil society and educationists and protests by students against the closure of schools, they said.

A group of students also staged a protest in Srinagar yesterday against the closure of schools and appealed to the separatists to exclude education from the prolonged strike as around three months have already been lost in the ongoing strike.

Education has been at the centre of debate in Kashmir for last over three weeks after the government's move to open schools and notify schedule for examinations was criticised by some quarters, especially separatists.