Parents worried over militant attacks

Srinagar, Mar 06: Parents of several students have expressed serious concern over the sudden increase in militant attacks in the past few days as educational institutions in Kashmir re-opened today after a winter vacation of nearly three months.

''We are very happy that the schools have re-opened today after a three-month vacation. But, we are very much worried about the safety of our children as there is an increase in militant attacks in the Valley, particularly the Srinagar city, during the past few days'' said Mansoor Ahmed Mir, a parent.

A worried Mir said his two minor daughters today went to their school which is about 10 km from their residence at Iqbal Colony in Sonawar area here.

''In case of any incident it becomes extremely difficult for me or my wife to get back the children who are left at the mercy of God in such a situation,'' he added.

''Tension starts in the morning once the school vehicle comes to pick them up and it remains there till they return. This has become a routine and has affected the health of many parents,'' Mir said.

Another parent, Ishtiyaq Ahmed, said his children are studying in schools located in the busy Lal Chowk, the area which often turns out to be a battle-ground for militants and security forces.

While his son Fahad studies in Tyndale Biscoe school, the daughter, Mehvish, is a student of Mallinson Girls School.

''Most of the time, we are worried about the safety of children as the schools are located in most vulnerable area as far as the security point of view is concerned. Since the onset of militancy in late 1980s, there have been number of attacks in the Lal Chowk area and several innocent people have lost their lives either in cross-firing or in grenade blasts,'' he said.

UNI