SRINAGAR: Thousands of students appeared in class 12th examination in strike-hit Kashmir amidst tight security measures and separatists-sponsored shutdown on Monday.
“About 95% students appeared in the 12th class examination today. Out of 31964 students enrolled for appearing in the examination, 30213 students appeared in today’s paper,” said an official of Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education (JKBOSE).
He said 484 exam centres were set up for about 32000 students appearing in class 12 examination today.
A group of students said they faced tough time reaching their exam centres during the shutdown.
“We had to hire a three-wheeler and we had no option but to pay more money as demanded by him. The government should provide transport facilities to the students so that they can reach their examination without any delay,” they said.
Due to over four month long unrest and shutdown in the Valley, all educational institutions including schools and colleges have remained shut. Despite opposition and protests by students, the government decided to conduct 10th and 12th class examinations of students with 50% syllabus cut and also provided choice to students to appear in exams with full syllabus in March 2017. However, most of the students have decided to appear in exams now with 50% syllabus cut.
“In Srinagar, out of 5741 students, 5417 (96%) appeared in the examination. In central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, out of 1259 students 1175 (94%) appeared, in central Kashmir Budgam district out of 3484 students 3309 (98%) appeared, in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, out of 4929 students 4740 (98%) appeared, in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, out of 1483 students 1379 (93%) appeared, in south Kashmir’s Pulwama distrct, out of 2646 students 2506 (95%) appeared, in Soith Kashmir’s Shopian out of 1674 students 1568 (94%) appeared, in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district out of 1404 students 1303 (94%) appeared, in North Kashmir’s Baramulla out of 4912 students 4603 (94%) appeared and in North Kashmir’s Kupwara out of 4322 students 4024 (96%) appeared,” a board official said.
Authorities had made elaborate security arrangements in and around the exam centres for smooth conduct of the exams.
“Restrictions under Section 144 barring assembly of more than four persons remained in force around the exam centres. Besides, large number of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed around the exam centres to maintain law and order and prevent disturbances in conduct of examinations,” an official said.
However, there were some stone pelting incidents around exam centres in south Kashmir, which has been the epicenter of over four month long unrest in the Valley triggered by killing of 21-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.
At least four students were injured during clashes between stone pelting youth and security forces outside an examination centre in Pahnoo area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Authorities today ordered shifting of five examination centres in volatile Tral and Tahab areas of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Meanwhile, life in Valley remained affected for 129th consecutive day due to separatists-sponsored shutdown.
Shops, business establishments and petrol pumps remained closed while public transport was off the roads. However, some private vehicles, three-wheelers and cabs plied.