Educational institutions closed, exams postponed in Kashmir

Srinagar: All educational institutions were closed as a precautionary measure in the Kashmir valley, where universities have postponed all scheduled examinations on Monday following a strike called by separatists against the Shopian killings.The decision was taken by the divisional administration in view of the prevailing situation in the Kashmir valley on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Kashmir University (KU) and Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora in south Kashmir district of Pulwama have also suspended class work and posted all examinations which were scheduled to be held today.

A KU spokesman said that all examinations have been postponed and new date will be announced separately later.

Though no reason was given for the announcement, the prevailing situation following the killing of five militants in an encounter and as many civilians in security force action on demonstrators in Shopian was apparently behind it.

One of the five slain militants killed was Dr Mohammad Rafi Bhat, who was an Assistant Professor in the KU before joining the Hizbul Mujahideen(HM) militant outfit recently.  The KU witnessed massive protests by students on Saturday after Dr Bhat went missing.

A spokesman for the IUST said there will be no class work in the university. All the examinations slated for today have been postponed. New dates for the deferred examinations shall be notified separately. 

Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq and Mohammad Yaseen Malik last night extended general strike today, when seat of the government, including the office of Chief Minister is reopening in summer capital. The JRL has also asked people to march towards Civil Secretariat and organize sit-in against Shopian and Chattabal killings.(UNI)