Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 19: The State High Court today observed that there should be zero tolerance against torching of educational institutions in Kashmir and directed that those involved in school blazes should be sternly dealt with.
After fresh incidents of torching of schools in Kashmir, Chief Justice of High Court, N Paul Vasanthakumar, today preponed the hearing of torching of schools case that was scheduled to be held on November 28 and constituted a special division bench of Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey.
The Chief Justice order reads: “Noticing of some recent shocking and unfortunate attacks on the school buildings necessitated hearing of this matter today”.
The Division Bench also observed that Court cannot tolerate torching and damaging of schools at any cost. “We further make it clear that the acts of damaging or burning the school buildings by mysterious miscreant elements will not be tolerated”, the DB said.
Court while emphasizing on importance of education and safeguarding of educational institutions said that nation in absence of education which is imparted in these institutions will remain a distinct dream.
“It is the collective responsibility of all concerned and authorities at the helm of affairs, respectable citizens of the localities, other citizens, student community and teachers to contribute a bit at their respective levels so that the clouds of darkness in respect of educational atmosphere are removed”, Justice Mir and Justice Magrey observed collectively.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Inspector General of Police and Director School Education were present in the court and apprised the Court in detail about steps taken for implementing all the previous direction issued by the Court.
These officials submitted before the Court that all necessary measures, for avoiding any type of mysterious miscreant attacks on educational institutions are taken. They claimed before the court that they are in a position, with the cooperation of all concerned, to reduce such attacks and are on work to ensure no such attacks happen in future.
Court has also been informed that in order to give full effect to the previous direction passed by the court, Chief Secretary of the State is scheduled to hold a meeting on November 23 with an object to implement the orders and direction of the court in letter and spirit.
The Divisional Commissioner submitted that protection of schools is monitored on day to day basis, whereas IGP submitted that some miscreants involved in burning or causing damage to these institutions have been arrested and special investigating teams have been formed to nab such culprits. Director School Education also submitted that coordinated efforts are being made with respectable citizens and all other showing concern to curb these incidents.
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