Kashmir: Class work suspended in schools, colleges; KU, IUST postpone exams

Srinagar, Aug 2 : Class work in all educational institutions, including schools and colleges, has been suspended today in Kashmir valley, where separatists had called a general strike against the killing of two civilian in security force firing on demonstrators at Pulwama, where two Lashker-e-Toiba militants, including a wanted commander Abu Dujana were killed in an encounter yesterday. Kashmir University and Islamic University of Science and Technology have postponed all examinations scheduled to be held today as both the institutions witnessed demonstration yesterday. ''All the colleges and schools in Kashmir valley shall remain closed today as a precautionary measure,'' Divisional Commissioner Baseer Ahmed Khan said. Dujana, a resident of Pakistan, and a local militant Arif Lalhari were killed in an encounter in Pulwama, where a youth also died while several others were injured when security forces allegedly opened fire and burst teargas shells to disperse demonstrators yesterday. One more youth succumbed to his injured at S K Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar this morning. As the news of the killing of a civilian and Dujana spread yesterday, clashes between protestors, including students, erupted in this summer capital, besides many other parts of the valley, following which class work in all the educational institutes were suspended in the noon yesterday. 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. A KU official said all examinations scheduled for today have been postponed in the wake of concerns raised by students with regards to availability of transportation following a strike call. “Fresh dates for the deferred examinations shall be notified separately, later,” he said. An IUST spokesperson said that university administration has postponed all the examinations scheduled to be held today in view of the prevailing situation. Mobile internet remained suspended for the second day today as a precautionary measure in the Valley. The rail service remained suspended in the Kashmir valley for security reasons. UNI