Srinagar: All educational institutes, including schools and colleges, have been closed as a precautionary measure in north Kashmir, where two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants were killed in an encounter with security forces this morning. “All the colleges and schools in twin districts of Kupwara and Baramulla in north Kashmir shall remain closed as a precautionary measure,” officials told UNI. According to District Magistrate, class work shall remain suspended in Government Degree College Bandipora, Government Higher Secondary School (HSS) Hajin, Sumbal, Naidkhai, HSS Bagh Bandipora and HSS Sumbal as a precautionary measure.
Two LeT militants were killed in a fierce encounter with security forces in apple township of Sopore in north Kashmir district of Baramulla. However, educational institutions were closed in the frontier district of Kupwara, where the people are protesting protesting against alleged forced disappearance of a youth and thrashing of another by the Army. Fearing trouble today, the authorities ordered closure of schools and colleges.
Locals alleged that two youths, identified as Nassarullah and Manzoor, residents of Devar Lolab had entered a local Army camp on September 7 following directions by the security forces. They said both the youths had entered their names on the log book before going inside the camp. They further alleged that both the youths were tortured in the camp. “Nassarullah was released in an injured condition, who was rushed to a local hospital and later referred to Srinagar,” they said.
The whereabouts of Manzoor were not known, the locals said and expressing apprehension that he might have been killed in custody. The demonstrators said recently a youth was killed in Handwara, who was later labeled as foreign militant by the Army. Meanwhile, the Army on September 2 ordered an inquiry into the allegations. Similarly, the District Magistrate has also ordered an inquiry into the allegations by the locals. In the past also, authorities have closed educational institutes, including schools and colleges, on several occasions since April this year, when students clashes with security forces across the valley following thrashing of students, including girls, in Pulwama Degree college. Last year during the summer unrest, educational institutions remained closed for about six months.
