Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 5: The High Court today directed Government to inform it about the status of Detailed Project Report (DPR) and sanctioned funds for reconstruction of those educational institutions which have been burnt down during last year’s unrest.
This information has been sought by the Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey in a suo-moto cognizance taken by the court last year about the burning of schools.
The suo-moto cognizance was taken by the then Chief Justice of the State after various news reports regarding the torching of educational institutions in the Valley.
Court enquired from the State Counsel about the stage of reconstruction of burnt down educational institutions to which he submitted that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared and sent for sanction of funds to concerned department.
Court directed for filing of latest status report indicating there-in the date of submitting of DPR and whether any funds sanctioned and released for the above purpose.
Court asked the State Counsel whether any alternative arrangements have been made for those students whose schools in which they were pursuing studies or not. State Counsel while giving reference of some schools submitted that Government has made certain arrangements.
Court observed to him that the affidavit in this connection filed is not satisfactory and directed him to file the latest report indicating there-in the proper arrangements along with photographs of such arrangements.
Court observed to State Counsel that made suitable alternative mechanism to deal with the situation till the affected institutions are rebuild as education must not suffer.
Asking about the status of investigation with regard to burning incidents and progress of FIRs which have been registered against those who have been found involved in burning of educational institutions, State Counsel submitted that various persons have been arrested and bailed out and investigation is going on.
Court today directed the Inspector General of Police Kashmir range to apprise the court by way of status report about the investigation and progress of FIRs against those who have been found involved in these incidents by next date.
It may be mentioned here that police authorities have registered the case against the miscreants for commission of offence and in this regard 33 accused have been arrested and are being dealt in accordance with law.
Out of 33 accused arrested in such cases, Dossiers against 14 accursed persons have been submitted to concern District Magistrates for issuance of detention warrants under PSA. 9 warrants have been received out of which 6 detention warrants have been executed till date.
About 34 educational institutions have been torched by the miscreants during the turmoil in different districts across the Valley and for speedy disposal, as well arrest of miscreants/accused involved in the commission of offences Special Investigation Teams (SITs) have already been constituted by the SSPs, which are being monitored by the range of DIGs.
Court on various occasions to deal with the situation sought personal appearance of various higher authorities like Divisional Commissioner, Inspector General of Police as also the Director School Education Kashmir
It is, according to police sources, that the mechanism put in place for protection of school building in accordance with latest direction of the High Court more than 650 school buildings are visited every day during vulnerable hours (late evening and early morning) by police patrolling teams and supervisory officers.
Categorizing the schools as per locations in order to save them from any arson, police said their sensitivity has been categorized in three types i.e; hypersensitive, sensitive and less-sensitive as such permanent deployment, permanent nakas near sensitive areas as also patrolling in less sensitive areas respectively is being carried to prevent any incident well in time.
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