J&K authorities decide on steps to prevent burning of schools

A day after the High Court rap, Jammu and Kashmir authorities today held a high-level meeting over burning of schools in the valley and came up with a number of decisions.

Srinagar, Nov 1: A day after the High Court rap, Jammu and Kashmir authorities today held a high-level meeting over burning of schools in the valley and came up with a number of decisions, including steps to enhance vigil and a directive to police to speed up the investigation.

"In response to the directions of J&K High Court, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan today chaired a high level meeting convened to adopt the measures to be taken to prevent school buildings from fire incidents, besides to ensure smooth conduct of examinations," an official spokesman said.

The meeting was attended by Inspector General of Police S J M Gillani, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Lone, Director of School Education while Deputy Commissioners of other districts of the valley attended through video conference.

The High Court yesterday took suo moto notice of the burning of schools by "mysterious enemies" and directed the state government officials to take steps for preventing such incidents in future and unmask the culprits.

Khan expressed concern over the burning of schools in the valley and issued directions for taking preventive measures to safeguard school buildings so that educational setup does not get affected.

He impressed upon all the Deputy Commissioners to hold meetings with respetives SSPs, CEOs and ZEOs of their respective jurisdictions and prepare comprehensive plans in the categories of normal, sensitive and hypersensitive ares so that the institutions of learning are saved from such fires.

Khan directed all the Deputy Commissioners to submit the list of schools falling under their jurisdiction to the IGP and to his office. He directed the Education Department officials to constitute the committee of teachers, numberdars, chowkidars and contingent paid employees for keeping vigil to protect school buildings.

Khan called called for involvement of Imaams (prayer leaders) and civil society members in the process. He also directed establishing of special control rooms to monitor the process saying collective efforts are needed to safeguard school buildings so as to save education system in the valley.

The IGP said all the examination centers would be provided adequate security especially during night hours to avoid any untoward incident. He directed all the SSPs to speed up the investigation process of burning incidents of school buildings to identify the culprits involved in such cases.

Gillani also directed the police to ensure checking of school buildings while patrolling during night hours.

PTI