Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Oct 13: While most of the schools along the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC) after little decline in tension between India and Pakistan were opened recently, nearly 100 schools in Rajouri, Poonch and Kathua areas are still closed.
Officials sources told the Excelsior that as the situation along the LoC and International Border turned tense in view of the surgical strike on terrorist camps by Indian Army in PoK on September 29, many families along the borders had temporary migrated to the safer places. Many Government and even some private schools within Zero to 5 kms range from border were closed by the Government.
In Jammu region too, the Divisional Commissioner and the respective Deputy Commissioners issued orders for the closer of some schools closer to borders in view of shelling/ firing from the Pakistani side.
But after the situation kept on improving with the passage of time, the authorities asked the concerned Education Officers to open the schools in their respective jurisdictions. While in Jammu and Samba districts, most of the schools are said to have been opened, over 100 schools in Poonch, Mandi, Mendhar, Balakote, Rajouri, Nowshera, Sunderbani, Kathua, Marheen and Hiranagar areas are still closed.
Deputy Commissioner Poonch, M H Malik said that around 65 Government schools located closer to the LoC in the district are still closed. Out of the total 65, 32 schools are located within zero to 2 kms of border belt in Balakote, Mendhar and Mankote areas while 33 other schools are situated within the shelling range of Pakistani forces in Jallas, Degwar, Shahpur, Saujian and other areas of Poonch-Haveli and Mandi.
Malik said that these schools were closed as precautionary measures by the Administration but now, the ZEO concerned will be directed to get these schools opened within couple of days, in view of improvement in the situation along borders.
Chief Education Officer, Rajouri Mohd Altaf said that most of the schools closer to the LoC specially in Lam, Sher Makri, Kalsian and Jhangar areas were closed for some days after September 29 strike in PoK by Army. Some families were also shifted to the safer locations from there. About 195 families are staying at Govt Higher Secondary School Nowshera and a Middle School, Bowli near Nowshera. About half a dozen schools are closed while all others along the LoC are functioning now. He said in Manjakote and Doongi- Garati areas also the schools are now functional.
CEO Kathua Balbir Singh told the Excelsior that after tension along borders about 240 schools were identified in district Kathua within 5 kms range. They all were closed. But after some time, most of them were opened. Presently about 25 schools are still lying closed and in some border migrants have taken shelter. He said these schools will also be made functional within couple of days.
CEO Jammu, JK Soodan and CEO Samba, OP Bhagat however, claimed that at present all the schools closer to the border are functioning. Soodan said that after the orders issued by Deputy Commissioner Jammu, all the schools were opened. Even most of the border migrants have shifted to their original locations. In Khour, Pallanwalla and Pargwal areas also the schools have started normal functioning. Bhagat said a few schools in Rajpura and Ghagwal border belt remained closed for some time, but presently hardly any school will be close due to stay of people but most of them even closer to IB are functional.
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