Student protests: Class work in three Govt HS Schools suspended in Srinagar

Srinagar, Apr 26: Class work in three Higher Secondary Schools (HSS), including Government Girls HSS Kothi Bagh in Srinagar, were today suspended in view of clashes between security forces and students in this summer capital on Monday. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, while chairing a Unified Command meeting here yesterday, directed the security agencies to undertake youth counselling and ensure that no collateral damage took place while dealing with day to day law and order situation.

Officials said the class work in SP Higher Secondary School (HSS), Government Girls HSS Kothi Bagh and MP HSS will remain suspended today as a precautionary measure. However, they said that other higher secondary institutions, besides colleges were open in the Valley though security forces have been deployed in strength outside these institutions to prevent any protests. The students, who clashed with security forces on Monday at Lal Chowk and adjoining areas, were demanding action against the forces, who entered Degree College Pulwama and allegedly thrashed students, including girls, on April 15.

The authorities had already suspended mobile internet service as a precautionary measure to prevent rumours on April 17, two day after Degree College Pulwama incident. The incident triggered massive protests by students across the Valley, demanding action against the security forces. However, the protests further intensified as students’ alleged use of disproportionate force by security forces on them while they were protesting against April 15 incident.