Altaf Bukhari urges parents to rein in their wards

As student protests refuse to die down in the Valley, Minister for Education Syed Altaf Bukhari today appealed to parents to counsel their children so that they stick to their academic ambitions.
The students protests have been intermittently going on in the Valley since April 17 following the use of force by the police against students of Government Degree College, Pulwama, on April 15.
The minister, while inaugurating Government High School, Maloora, expressed his displeasure over the incidents of stone-throwing by students of high and higher secondary schools.
“The students should have been busy in academic and co-curricular activities rather being chased away by law enforcing agencies on roads. This is really a displeasing situation which needs to be addressed through the coordinated efforts of both teachers and parents,” Bukhari said.
The Education Minister appealed to the students to return to their classes and not waste their precious time on roads. “I fail to understand on whom are they throwing stones? Perhaps we live in one society and it is beyond one’s comprehension as to who is throwing stones on whom,” he said.
The Education Minister said the government was prompt in its action against trespassing by the police at Government Degree College, Pulwama, on April 15, which had triggered a widespread student agitation in Kashmir.
“We ordered a time-bound inquiry which was completed in eight days. The government transferred the police officers. Now, what are the students demanding?” he asked.
The minister said the students had every right to express their aspirations and could protest as well but within the confines of their campuses.
“No one will touch them if they don’t come out of their institutes. I have no problem unless they come out of the premises of their institutions. Once they come out on roads, it becomes a law and order situation. This warrants law enforcement agencies to perform their duties,” he said.
Bukhari said some outsiders had tried to exploit gullible students and had tried to create law and order problems under the garb of student protests.

‘Don’t waste time’
Minister for Education Syed Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday appealed to the students to return to their classes and not waste their precious time on roads
The minister expressed his displeasure over the incidents of stone-throwing by students of high and higher secondary schools
Students protests have been intermittently continuing in the Valley since April 17 following the alleged use of force by the police against students of Government Degree College, Pulwama, on April 15