Kashmir schools and colleges will remain closed for two days till March 3. Security has been tightened across all districts, and officials have appealed for calm amid rising tensions.
To ensure the safety of students and teachers amid the restrictions across the Kashmir Valley, the schools and colleges in Kashmir will remain closed for two days. After the nearly three-month-long winter recess, schools from Class 9 to 12 were scheduled to reopen today (on March 2). This has been announced to maintain law and order in the valley. Officials shared that measures are being taken to ensure that miscreants and anti-national elements are prevented from exploiting the sentiments of the people in the aftermath of US-Israeli strikes on Iran. As many areas of Srinagar have a significant Shia Muslim population, security measures are being implemented more strictly in the old city and uptown localities.
Following the orders, the holiday will be observed in all schools, colleges, and universities. Kashmir University has postponed all exams scheduled for March 2 and March 3. The exact date and time for the conduct of these exams will be announced later. Students are advised to be in touch with their respective colleges for accurate updates on this.
Police and security forces deployed in strength have erected barricades in the city centre, Lal Chowk, where thousands of protesters had gathered on March 1 to protest Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killing in US-Israeli airstrikes. Restrictions have been imposed in all ten districts of the Valley.
The Ladakh administration is also dealing with the situation carefully, as the Kargil district in the Ladakh UT is predominantly Shia Muslim-based. Vehicular movement is also being disallowed from area to area. Traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway is, however, plying normally, though with fewer private vehicles. Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a security review meeting yesterday (on March 1), while DGP Nalin Prabhat is presently in Srinagar to personally oversee the security arrangements and their enforcement on the ground.
The L-G has appealed people for calm and said on X, “Chaired a meeting to review the security situation across J&K UT. Called upon all communities to stay peaceful and calm. I salute the unwavering, synchronized resolve of our Police and security forces upholding law and order.”
In addition to Kashmiri doctors and engineers, 1200 local students are studying in Iran. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reacted to the development by saying, “I’m deeply concerned about the unfolding developments in Iran, including the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. CM said, “I appeal to all communities to remain calm, uphold peace, and avoid any actions that could lead to tension or unrest. We must also ensure that those who are mourning in Jammu and Kashmir are allowed to grieve peacefully. The police and administration should exercise utmost restraint and refrain from using force or restrictive measures. The Government of Jammu & Kashmir is in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to ensure the safety and well-being of J&K residents, including students, currently in Iran”.
