40 Schools designated as polling stations damaged during bypoll in Budgam

More than 35 schools were damaged by protesters in Budgam district during the Srinagar parliamentary bypoll on April 9.
Chief Education Officer (CEO), Budgam, Inderjeet Sharma said 35-40 schools, where polling stations were set up, were damaged by protesters on April 9.
“According to our preliminary assessment, nearly 35-40 schools were attacked by protesters where polling stations were set up. It will take us two more days to come up with a report and assess the full damage,” said the CEO.
The official said around 10 schools had been severely damaged and he would take up the issue with the election authorities.
“Doors, windows and other infrastructure have been damaged in schools. The schools did not open after April 9 due to strike and other holidays. We will be able to assess the situation in these institutions tomorrow,” the CEO said, adding that a team will assess the schools one by one.
He said that during repolling in 38 polling stations in Budgam district on April 13, there were no protests and no schools were damaged.
In Budgam, 547 polling booths were set up in educational institutions during the Srinagar parliamentary byelections on April 9. The day witnessed violence, resulting in eight deaths and injuries to hundreds.
Since the unrest last year, many government schools have been damaged or set ablaze. Following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in July last year, 37 schools were set ablaze by miscreants. The schools are yet to be rebuilt.
During the bypoll to the Srinagar parliamentary constituency on April 9, two schools were set afire in Shopian and Pulwama districts of volatile south Kashmir.
‘Will take up issue with poll authorities’
In Budgam, 547 polling booths were set up in educational institutions during the Srinagar parliamentary by elections on April 9
Chief Education Officer, Budgam, Inderjeet Sharma said 10 of the 40 schools had been severely damaged and he would take up the issue with the election authorities

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