The authorities in Kashmir announced closure of schools and colleges from June 6 for ten days on account of ‘summer vacation’ even as the weather is not too hot to warrant closure. The vacations have apparently been announced as a precautionary measure to prevent flare-up in the wake of first death anniversary of slain Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani. The Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin last week announced weeklong programme to commemorate Wani’s anniversary. The programme includes shutdown on July 8 and 13.
“It is hereby ordered that all the Government educational institutions as also recognised private schools up to the higher secondary level functioning in the Kashmir division and winter zone of Jammu division shall observe summer vacations with effect from July 6 to July 16,” said an order issued here.
“Any default on part of private institutions in observance of the calendar of summer vacations so authorised shall attract action under rules,” it added.
A similar order was issued to announce closure of all colleges in the region for the period. The college, otherwise, have a set calendar to close for summer vacations in August.
The common residents castigated the Government for issuing what they call ‘anti-student order’. The educational activities have been hit in the Valley following eruption of massive anti-government protests in educational institutions triggered by security forces’ action against students in Pulwama Degree College on May 15.
“The Government doesn’t care about the future of the students. They are concerned about the law and order,” a resident said.
legislator Sheikh Rasheed has said there was no justification in declaring summer vacations for the Kashmir province from 6th of July.
“While most of the working days in educational institutions in Kashmir have been wasted due to law and order problem, mostly created by barbarism of security agencies in colleges and schools, the State Government seems to have given up to Syed Salahuddin’s calendar,” Rasheed said adding the United Jehad Council chief has announced a series of events and programmes to mark the first anniversary of renowned militant commander Burhan Wani. “The State Government finding itself short of options to deal with the issue has decided to close the educational institutions in the name of summer vacations. The summer vacations are usually declared when the temperatures reach their peak, however this year the temperatures are found to be comparatively moderate,” he said.
Meanwhile, the authorities announced prohibitory measures in parts of old Srinagar on Friday as precautionary measure to prevent protests. The separatists have called for protests on Friday afternoon against the US government’s announcement to declare Salahuddin as global terrorist.
