Under vigil
The administration over the past two months have been taking various decisions to maintain calm in the state after the special status was revoked on August 5. Many decisions that have been taken have raised eyebrows as some of the announcements have been such which fail to justify logic and rationale thinking.
One such decision that the administration has taken is that it has decided to keep an eye on students in the Valley and depute magistrates to every educational institution to oversee their day-to-day functioning.
This decision has been taken at a high-level meeting last week to ensure the smooth functioning of schools and colleges across the Valley, which is witnessing an uneasy calm after the Centre read down Article 370 and bifurcated the state into two union territories.
The administration has already announced the opening of colleges and schools but so far most students are yet to attend classes.
The decision is unique and intrusive as well as it is for the first time that officials that too of the magistrate level have been tasked with keeping an eye on campus activities. The very presence of magistrates in school and college campuses will raise suspicion and will not only create a parallel line of administration but will keep the students away from the institutions.
Kashmir’s educational institutes frequently erupt in protests over civilian killings or on separatists’ calls. There has been incidence of protests in these institutions over the past many years. In 2017, the government ordered the closure of schools and colleges for several days following massive protests by students when security forces entered the Degree College campus in Pulwama district and roughed up some students.
Since then the educational institutions have been high on security radar and various measures have been suggested at various levels to contain students protests. Even after the magistrates presence was ordered the police has issued directions to the college and school heads to install high resolution CCTV’s in campuses.
Besides, the presence of police personnel and the CRPF has been ensured to guard the campuses from outside so that any activity does not go unnoticed.
The student’s community has been at the receiving end since the past many years now. The government’s move to keep them under strict vigil will not ease out matters. On the contrary the students will take the decisions as an intrusion on their privacy as the educational institutions are the only places where the students feel free to discuss their issues.
If the campuses are brought under strict vigil the very thought of providing a healthy atmosphere for the students growth in the educational institutions will be negated. A move that will in the long run prove to be more perilous than prolific.
KV Network
