The J&K government on Sunday decided to close down hundreds of private coaching centres for school students in the Valley and launch a major parent-teacher drive at college and school levels to end protests by students over the Kathua rape and murder in the Kashmir Valley.
“We find private coaching centres a distraction for both students and teachers. These will remain closed for the next 90 days. I appeal to parents to spend time with the children and apprise them that the Kathua case is before the court now. The case has put emotional stress on the students and they need parents’ counselling,” J&K Education Minister Altaf Bukhari said in Srinagar.
Mr. Bukhari held a closed-door meeting with principals, vice-chancellors of varsities, and institution heads on how to handle the widespread protests of students in the past one week in the Valley’s educational institutions.
Work at most colleges and varsities in the Valley remained suspended for the past one week. Over two dozen students were injured in violent clashes in multiple campuses in Srinagar, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, Handwara, Baramulla, Sopore, Hajin and Kupwara. Several policemen were also injured in stone-throwing.
“Enough is enough. In case students hit the streets again, they will be treated as rowdies,” said Mr. Bukhari.
The government believes the closure of coaching centres will force both parents and students to rethink on the protests.
Wrong signal: Cong.
However, the Congress felt the move would add to the chaos. “It will ruin the students’ career besides sending wrong and confusing signals among the common masses in the Valley,” said a Congress spokesman.
Independent MLA Engineer Rashid, while appealing to the Minister to reconsider his decision, said: “The move is unjustified, harsh and unacceptable. Students are not rowdies and such words don’t suit the stature of a Minister,” said Mr. Rashid.
