Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 14: As protests by thousands of students rocked Kashmir valley today against the Israeli aggression on native Palestinians in Gaza, administration closed the schools in Kashmir valley for 15 days summer vacations beginning from tomorrow.
Thousands of students from over a half dozen educational institutions gathered at the Press Colony Srinagar to express solidarity with the people of Gaza.
“Down with Israel” reverberated in the streets of Srinagar, where scores of protests were held, demanding an immediate end to Israelis ongoing deadly strikes on the besieged Gaza strip.
Fearing trouble the authorities closed schools for 15 days summer vacations. A statement issued by Director of School Education, Mir Tariq Ali said that vide Govt. order No: 525 Edu of 2014, Dated 14/7/2014, all Government institutions and recognised Private Schools upto Higher Secondary Level falling in Kashmir Division and winter zone of Jammu Division shall observe summer vacations from July 15 to July 31.
“All the Schools have been strictly advised to observe the summer vacations as per the schedule in the interest of students given the rise in day temperature. Any default on the part of any private school in observance of the calendar of vacations, shall attract action under rules”, reads the statement.
Earlier, hundreds of students of Amar Singh College, S P College, Islamia College, Gandhi Memorial College, S P Higher Secondary and some private institutions marched towards the Ganta Ghar (historic clock tower) where they assembled and shouted pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli vociferous slogans.
They were also carrying placards that read, “Stop killing in Gaza, Stop genocide, Crush Israel.”
On the occasion, a protestor also climbed up on to the Ganta Ghar, who was carrying a placard, “Down Down Isreal” amid chanting pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli slogans.
Police didn’t allow the protesters to march towards Maisuma and Jamia Masjid Srinagar. However, the police dispersed the protestors near Women College Maulana Azad Road Srinagar, who insisted to march towards UN office after police chased them away. However, some protestors managed to reach outside UN office, where they protested against the bloodshed in Gaza.
Sources said the students of Women’s College M A Road Srinagar were barred from coming out of the college premises by the college authorities. However, after the College was closed, around two thousand college students protested and marched from their college to Jahangir Chowk. They were chanting anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian slogans. The traffic movement was halted till the protesters dispersed off outside the Civil Secretariat Srinagar.
The Government employees under the banner of Employees Joint Action Committee (EJAC) led by Abdul Qayoom Wani, activists of CPI (M) and civil society members also held protest demonstrations at the Press Colony. They demanded an end to innocent killings in Gaza. They also burnt down the Israeli flag to vent the anger against the genocide carried out by the Israelis against the innocent Palestinian.
Kashmir Bar Association also held the protest inside the premises of Saddar Court Srinagar. However, some lawyers managed to come out of its premises and staged a sit-in protest on the road.
Meanwhile, Awami Muthaida Mahaz also took out a protest rally to condemn the killings and urge the leaders of the international community to broker peace in the region.
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