BSF occupies 2 schools

A day after the Jammu and Kashmir government said that it will conduct school exams scheduled from next month on time, security forces on Tuesday occupied two schools in Srinagar.

The Border Security Force (BSF), deployed in Srinagar on Monday after a gap of 11 years, occupied the historic S P High School. This is the fifth school which has been recently occupied by the security forces.

Simultaneously, while the BSF was taking over possession of S P School, Kothi Bagh Higher Secondary School for girls was also occupied by the border guards. Earlier, three other prominent schools were taken over by the security forces.

Officials from the education department said Nawa Kadal Boys Higher Secondary School and M P Higher Secondary School in the congested old city area were the first to be occupied.  Subsequently, Boys Higher Secondary School Sonawar was also taken over by the security forces.

The people of Kashmir have taken serious note of the developments, accusing the ruling coalition of making a mockery of the system.

On August 22, Education Minister Nayeem Akhtar directed J&K State Board of School Education to conduct on time exams for students who have not been able to attend school during the 46-day curfew. The government has been saying that the people should decide between what they want, “agitation or education?” The people, however, this time do not seem to be buying the government’s terminology.

“S P School has been occupied by BSF. Somebody ask the education minister where shall the students go now,” said Ghulam Hassan, an old city resident.