Adil Lateef
SRINAGAR, Sept 14: A year after arsonists across Kashmir torched nearly three dozen educational institutes during unrest, the State’s Education Department is awaiting funds for reconstruction of 18 schools which were completely gutted in the torching incidents.
The arsonists, according to official figures, set ablaze nearly three dozen private and Government schools last year during violent turmoil that was triggered with the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in the month of July. The officials said that the first school was set alight in the month of September, 2016 in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district and then such incidents occurred in almost all the districts of the Valley.
While those schools that were partially gutted in blaze incidents have been repaired by the Education Department, the remaining 18 schools which were completely damaged are yet to be reconstructed for the want of funds, said the officials. Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK), Dr Ghulam Nabi Itoo told Excelsior that they have already submitted Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Planning Department for release of Rs 7 crore and are awaiting the funds for reconstruction.
“More than a month ago, we submitted the DPR to the Planning Department for reconstruction of 18 schools that were burnt last year. We are now waiting for Rs. 7 crore and once we receive we will start the reconstruction process of the schools,” he said, adding: “We have already repaired other damaged schools in district plan funds and they have been made functional.”
At least 5,000 students were affected as a result of burning of three dozen schools in Valley while Rs. 10 crore losses were suffered financially. As incidents of burning of schools started to gain pace last year, the police initially appeared clueless and failed to identify arsonists but later as many as 47 persons including 5 juveniles were arrested for their alleged involvement and among them, 10 were booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA).
When asked when the Education Department is expecting release of funds, the Director said: “We expect release of funds soon. We have already reminded them in this regard.”
Due to pending reconstruction process, the students who were enrolled in the schools that were burnt are also facing inconvenience as they have been shifted to other schools which are far away from their respective homes. “This is temporary arrangement,” said the DSEK Itoo.
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