Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 27: The studies of over 2000 students are badly hit as nearly 35 schools falling close to the Line of Control in Balakote, Mendhar, Mankote and Poonch areas are lying closed in view of the continuous Pakistani firing for the last over 15 days while villagers residing on that side of the fencing and just closure to LoC staged strong protest against Pakistan at Mendhar town today and demanded their rehabilitation at the safer places.
Sources said that nearly 35 Government schools including a Higher Secondary are lying closed for the last more than two weeks now in view of heavy firing from the Pakistani troops all along the Line of Control. Majority of the schools are Primary and Middle standard. The students of these schools are suffering a lot as their studies have been stalled with the non-functioning of these schools.
Due to the fear prevailing among the villagers of this entire belt in view of shelling, mostly that of 82 mm mortar fires from that side of the LoC, the parents didn’t send their children to schools. Moreover, the staff also didn’t visit most of these schools. The village Panchayat members said that many of these schools are lying closed.
Though there is no official announcement regarding the closure of Government schools yet majority of them have been closed by the staff at its own in view of terror of shelling. The villagers alleged that shells fall in the fields and also hit several houses and school buildings, therefore, nobody dares to take such a risk of life.
Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, holding School Education Portfolio, when contacted said that no such official order has been issued regarding closure of the schools in Poonch and Mendhar. He admitted that due to continuous firing from the Pakistani side there is fear among the people. In case of any crisis or the law and order problem , Deputy Commissioner has powers to take such decision. But, he maintained, that efforts would be made to take necessary measures so that studies of the students didn’t suffer due to the firing.
Chief Education Officer Poonch, Mohd Ashraf Chouhan said there is no official order issued in this regard but maintained that a few schools lying closer to the LoC were targeted by Pakistani troops and one at Deri Dabsi suffered major damage. Under such circumstances no parents would send their wards to the school. He said safety is the prime concern of all and therefore, the children and even the teachers can not take such a risk.
Mr Chouhan maintained that he along with his Deputy CEO and ZEOs has identified nearly 18 schools falling closer to the Line of Control and the children of these schools will be shifted to other schools situated at safer places, till the peace is restored. He said studies of the students is the cause of concern but safety is the prime concern of all. He maintained that issue has also been discussed with the Deputy Commissioner and the Director School Education Jammu as well.
Meanwhile, villagers from Deri Dabsi (Balakote) falling on that side of the fencing held day long protest demonstration at Shahidi Yadgar Mendhar and demanded their temporary rehabilitation at the safer places. Nearly 400 members of 40 odd families led by Sarpanch Nazir Ahmed Choudhary and six other Panchayat members crossed the fencing gate in the morning and reached Mendhar along with their women and children. They started their day long protest at the main Chowk and raised slogans against Pakistan. They were also carrying banners and placards. They also shouted slogans against the Administration and demanded that they should be provided shelter at the safer places as they could not sleep for many days due to the fear of Pakistani shelling.
Later, SDM Shafiq Ahmed, SDPO Mendhar Amit Bhasin, Tehsildar Mohd Kabir and SHO Bishnesh Kumar reached the spot. They pacified the agitating public and assured that their issue would be taken up at higher level. DC Poonch Sajjad Ahmed Khan also reached in the afternoon and talked to the villagers. Senior officers of the Sub Division were also present.
The DC said that some areas are being identified where people are needed to be pulled out and rehabilitated at the safer zones. The matter has been taken up with the Home Department at higher level and they would be placed temporarily shortly. The people however, refused to move back to their village on that side of the fence claiming that they were spending sleepless nights there and there was constant threat to their lives and cattle due to Pakistani firing.
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