Schools in the border village of Kamalkote in Uri witnessed thin attendance of students on Monday, the first day after winter vacations.
Students preferred to remain confined totheir homes in the village close to the Line of Control in Uri where residentshave been terrified after two days of cross-border mortar shelling that leftfive villagers wounded and five residential houses damaged.
“The area has been affected by the recentborder skirmish. The locals here are afraid of the prevailing situation that isthe reason most of the parents preferred there wards to remain indoors,” saidzonal education officer, Muhammad Iqbal.
Kamalkote, one of the largest villages closeto the LoC, has 39 government-run schools including a higher secondary school,3 high schools, 12 middle schools and 23 primary schools besides some privateschools, where thousands of students are enrolled.
Some villagers say the government shouldhave waited to reopen the schools.
“The schools have been reopened on Monday. Whileon Sunday here both Indian and Pakistani troops used heavy artillery whichresulted in injury to four civilians besides damage to five residential housesin Kamalkote village,” said Bashir Ahmed, a resident of Kamalkote.
“Under such circumstances how is itappropriate to open schools here?” asked Syed Muhammad, another resident,adding it would be “disastrous” if a bomb landed on a school.
Only six students – visibly frightened – outof the 120 enrolled in the Government Girls High School Kamalkote attended onthe first day.
“There are no protective measures in placein case any shell lands at the school. The schools should have been closed hereuntil the situation turns peaceful,” said a student.
Kamalkote is one of the border villagesaffected by the recent hostilities between India and Pakistan following India’sairstrike and Pakistan’s counter strikes after the Pulwama suicide attack thatleft at least 40 Indian paramilitaries dead.
Chief Education Officer Baramulla, G N Lonesaid, “I will take this matter up with the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla andthereafter a decision will be taken. “
The district’s Deputy Commissioner, G N Itoosaid the lives of students would not be put to any risk.
“I will call the local officials and seekthe report about the situation in the concerned village and thereafter adecision will be taken,” Itoo said.