Kashmir unrest: Yet another school burnt down in Anantnag

Yet another school was set ablaze in South Kashmir's Anantnag district on Sunday by unknown arsonists.

Reports said that Government Higher Secondary School, Kabamarg building was damaged in the inferno.

Locals immediately called fire-fighters that brought the blazes under control but not before it damaged major portion of the building, local sources said.

So far, over 20 schools have been burnt down in the last two months with the unrest in the Valley having prolonged for more than three months now, majority of them government-run, suffering irreparable damage.

The attacks have soared after the state government decided to go ahead with the Class 10 and Class 12 Board exams, scheduled next month, despite calls by students, parents for delaying them due to the ongoing agitation.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had yesterday blamed separatists for using children as cannon fodder by not allowing schools to function in the Valley.

"Since last three months, schools are closed in Valley. The government tried to open schools and even a delegation from civil society led by Yashwant Sinha went to meet them (separatists) and requested them that the future of children was getting spoiled and for God's sake help to let the schools open and the reply came in the form of burning of two schools," she said.

Most educational institutes in the Valley have been non-functional since July 9th, keeping in mind the unrest in Kashmir that entered 114th day today.