Schools reopen after winter break in Kashmir Valley under high security

The first Goodwill school was set up by the Army in Uri in 1999 and in the past 15 years dozens of schools have been established across the state.

As the schools have reopened after a long winter break in Kashmir Valley, the Army has fortified security around Army Goodwill schools to prevent Peshawar-type attacks.

Defense sources said that local formation units have been asked to keep special vigil on these schools and the army’s Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) have been asked to respond within minutes in case of any exigency. Since most of these schools are located in the vicinity of army formations and security camps, sources said that security of the children is being given top priority, especially in the backdrop of Peshawar attack.

Officials said that special emphasis is laid on those army Goodwill schools, which are located away from the security installations especially in the rural areas of the state.

Sources said that the decision, to upgrade, the security was taken at the highest level in the backdrop of Peshawar attack. Sources said that recently – a team of security experts also surveyed some schools to check the level of security around these educational institutions.

“Some new projects related to the security of these schools are being initiated and files have been sent for the approval at the highest level as it needs lot of finances,” said an officer privy to these arrangements.

The officer said that security drills along with students have been conducted at many places in the state. “The demos have been conducted in these schools,” he said.

Javid Iqbal, Administrative Officer, Army Goodwill school Pahalgam in South Kashmir – the only boarding school of Army in the Valley said that after the Peshawar attack school administration is taking no chances. “More bunkers have been erected around the school and the security loopholes have been rectified,” he said, adding that local unit of army is responsible for the security of school. “Currently, 350 students are enrolled here and we are take extra precautions.”

Officials said that even police have been taken into confidence and asked to identify the loopholes if any in the security of these schools.

Alone in Kashmir, there are more than three dozen Goodwill and Army schools where over 10,000 local students are enrolled. These goodwill schools are managed by the local units operating in the area, but the Army has formed an apex body based at the 15 Corps and 16 Corps Headquarters that looks after the functioning of these schools.

The first Goodwill school was set up by the Army in Uri in 1999 and in the past 15 years dozens of schools have been established across the state.

According to the Army officials the number of students seeking admission in these schools have gone up, despite militants in the past had asked students and local teachers to quit these schools as these schools are being used for anti freedom activities.

Source:: Indian Express