J&K: Three school buildings set ablaze in last 24 hours; security beefed up

Unidentified people have set ablaze three school buildings in Kashmir over the last 24 hours, following which the government has decided to step up security around educational institutions.

A government school was set ablaze by unknown persons in the wee hours of 25 October in Noorbagh area of the city but the blaze was put out by fire tenders, a police official said.

He said the school building suffered damage in the fire and the firefighting operation.

In another incident, miscreants tried to burn down Government Higher Secondary School at Aishmuqam in Anantnag district, the official said.

The school building was saved by the timely intervention of the fire brigade personnel, he said, adding one window panel was damaged due to the fire.

Last night, a fire broke out in a building of the Government Middle School in Sadrukote Bala of Bandipora district.

Fire tenders were rushed in and the blaze was put out, the official said, adding the incident is suspected to be the handiwork of miscreants.

The official said in view of these incidents, the security patrol around school buildings have been increased to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.

The state government has announced that the annual board examinations will be held next month even though the schools have remained closed since July following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces.

Protests have been held against the government decision to hold examinations.

--PTI