Three and a half month long strike in Kashmir for which the separatist leaders have been giving calls has the most adverse impact on school going children. For last 110 days, schools have been closed on the all of separatists and the children are deprived of their education which might even waste one precious academic year of their career. The Prime Minister has taken serious note of this and has asked the Home Ministry to ensure that schools are reopened and function properly. The Home Ministry has directed the State Government to provide adequate security to the schools. So far militants and miscreants have torched no fewer than 21 school buildings with the ulterior motive of preventing the boys and girls from going to Government or private schools.
The State Government has taken initiatives to translate the instructions of the Home Minister into practice. We learn that the Police Department is contemplating providing security to the school going children and the school buildings. Some arrests have been made for alleged torching of school buildings in different parts of the valley. We welcome police providing security to children and the school buildings in which they will be receiving education. However, we would consider it very proper if the local population in vulnerable villages and towns pledges to support the police in providing security to the school children and the buildings. After all it is in their interest.