Schools reopen after 15 days across Kashmir

Schools across Kashmir Valley reopened today after a 15-day hiatus while restrictions were eased further, officials said.

Teachers reported to work in many of the schools although attendance of students was relatively thin, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

The officials also said the government has made necessary arrangements for opening of 190 primary schools in Srinagar city as security forces remained deployed in most parts of Kashmir Valley.

However, all private schools in the city remained closed for the 15th consecutive day as parents were apprehensive about the security situation in view of violent protests over the past two days.

Only Police Public School at Bemina and a few Kendriya Vidyalayas saw a handful of students turning up.

A senior Srinagar district official said a few schools on the city's periphery opened today but in the old city and in civil lines areas they remained shut due to violence reported over the past two days

Schools remained closed in five towns in Baramulla district but opened in the rest of the district, officials said.

"There is no relaxation in the restrictions in Pattan, Palhalan, Singhpora, Baramulla and Sopore towns. Primary schools in the rest of the district are open. We are collecting details about the number of students who have reported at their respective schools," an official said.

Authorities had planned to open schools up to primary level and make all government offices functional from today.

In Srinagar city, security check barricades were removed from areas where the situation has remained peaceful since the Indian government announced to scrap the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcate it into two union territories on August 5

Markets in the Valley remained shut while public transport stayed off the roads. The movements of private vehicles in the city increased after restrictions were eased.