Students again on roads to oppose exams

Govt says priority is to save previous year of students

Stating that they would not appear in examinations, hundreds of students Saturday staged protest demonstrations across Kashmir.
Students raised ‘Examination boycott’ slogans and accused government of “exploiting school going children for political gains.”
Hundreds of students marched from Sozaith, Narbal and adjoining areas towards Srinagar raising anti-examination slogans.
“Government has to create conducive atmosphere for exams. It can be created by stopping civilian killings, end to use of pellets, releasing all political leaders and students,” said Abid Ahmad, a protestor.
Hundreds of students held protests on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway at Lawaypora. They raised anti-government slogans.
“We are least bothered of our educational careers. We want resolution of Kashmir issue first. In the present scenario, even the students are not safe. The educated youth and school going children are arrested and detained. Present regime have no right to lecture on education as they have maimed and killed school going children,” they said.
However, police reached the spot and cleared one side of the highway which connects North Kashmir with the rest of state.
Raising pro-freedom and anti-government slogans, the students held a protest sit-in near Syed Ahmad Shah Kirmani (RA) shrine.
In Srinagar, students staged protest demonstrations at various places including Chanapora, Rajbagh and Baghat.
The students were holding banners and placards, which read: “Ready to Sacrifice Future for Kashmir; Release Our Teachers; “Release Students, Punish forces responsible for killings.”
“Instead of forcing examination and curfews, authorities must force humanity on those who fire indiscrimately on peaceful protestors,” they argued.
Chairman Board of School Education, Zahoor Ahmad told Kashmir Post that the priority of authorities is to save precious academic year of the students.
“If they are concerned about incomplete syllabus, pending laboratory works or have any other reasonable reason, we can talk it out. We can also provide concessions to them,” he said.
He added that no parent, teacher or responsible officer would allow school going students’ precious academic year go waste.
Scores of students protested against the “scheduled” examinations of 10th and 12th classes at many places of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Student organised a peacefully rally from Kawoosa -Khalisa area and marched towards Kawoosa bus stop on Srinagar-Gulmarg highway but were chased back by forces.
“At least half a dozen students sustained injuries during the clashes that broke out after the force’s action,” eyewitness said.