Majority of primary schools reported “zero” to very thin attendance on Monday after the authorities decided to re-open 196 schools across Srinagar following two weeks of clampdown in the State in the wake of abrogation of Article 370. In most cases, parents refused to drop their children to schools citing strict security restrictions. Other districts in the Valley too registered zero attendance of students.
The only saving grace was the presence of schoolteachers and other staff who made it to the schools despite facing many hardships en route.
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told The Pioneer that out of 196 schools, staff and teachers reported on duty in around 170 schools in Srinagar on Monday, but less than 10 students marked their presence on day one.
He, however, expressed hope that the situation will improve from Tuesday as several private school authorities were approached to re-open their schools.
Choudhary also convened a meeting with representatives of Presentation Convent, DPS, Burn Hall and other schools. The meeting was attended by Education Director, Additional Commissioner, Joint Director Planning and heads/representatives of private schools.
The Government also decided to re-open all middle level schools across Kashmir valley from Wednesday.
Meanwhile, after his two week stay in the Kashmir for monitoring the situation, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval returned to Delhi on Monday and briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Intelligence Bureau chief Arvind Kumar and other top officials 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 & Kashmir also figured in the meeting.
At several places in Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, Kupwara, schools reported zero attendance and efforts are being made to motivate people to send their children to schools to restore normalcy.
Meanwhile, some of the State Government offices too started normal functioning in Srinagar, but most of the market places in down town Srinagar and other vulnerable areas wore a deserted look.
The communication blockade continued with only landline services being restored partially. Mobile phone services remained suspended for the 15th day in succession in different parts of Kashmir valley.
In the wake of repeated incidents of stone pelting and token protests, security forces remained deployed in large numbers while barricades and concertina wires prevented smooth movement of traffic in several parts of Srinagar.
Central Kashmir DIG VK Birdi on Monday claimed minor incidents of stone pelting were reported from some areas in Srinagar but situation largely remained peaceful. No major incident of violence was reported from anywhere in the area, he added.
Addressing a joint press conference, Director, Information and Public Relations, Syed Sehrish Asgar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (CKR) VK Birdi and School Education Director Muhammad Younis Malik said the presence of staff at all the primary level schools on Monday was an encouraging sign and the administration has decided to re-open all the middle schools across Kashmir on Wednesday.
Regarding the availability of supply stock in the Valley, it was informed that the essential services like PHE, PDD, Food & Civil Services, etc, are working smoothly.
It was also informed that Srinagar Civil Secretariat recorded 98 per cent attendance, and it is picking up rapidly in other Government offices.
They said the relaxations are being given by the Deputy Commissioners in their respective areas, adding no report of any untoward incident was received today during the relaxation period. They said that there was no law and order incident reported from Jammu region while urging people not to pay heed to rumours.