Jammu and Kashmir: Schools to reopen from Oct 3 and colleges by 0ct 9

The Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, on Monday announced that all schools up to Higher Secondary level will reopen from October 3 and the colleges will resume from or by October 9. 

The schools and colleges in the Valley were shut ahead of the abrogation of Article 370 in the state on August 5 and have been opened in phases since then. 

Central Government and authorities from Jammu and Kashmir have maintained that everything is normal in the Valley, however, Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Congress party said there is no democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. "The level of sorrow and disappointment in Kashmir is the same as that in Jammu province. Apart from 100-200 people from the ruling party, no one is happy. Small businessmen whose livelihoods are dependent on Kashmir - be it small-scale, middle-scale, transport people are so disappointed that they are saying they are on the verge of suicide. I have never seen such terror by the administration anywhere in the world. There is no democracy in the state. With the change in law, democracy has also stopped here," he said. The Senior Congress leader had visited the valley on September 25. However, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat reasoned that there was no 'clampdown' as a number of activities were continuing to take place that would not be had it been.

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NSA Visits J&K

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval visited the Kashmir Valley on September 25 to review the internal security situation and decide on the future course of action for the smooth implementation of government schemes and services after the withdrawal of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. In a recent development in the Valley, internet kiosks have been set up for the students, in parts of the Kupwara district. 

Bifurcation into two Union Territories

With effect from October 31, Jammu and Kashmir will be bifurcated into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as a bill in this regard was passed by Parliament and given Presidential approval.

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