Declare education essential service: JKYDF to govt,

Jammu and Kashmir Youth Development Forum (JKYDF) today appealed to government and separatists to declare education as an essential service to ensure reopening of schools in the Valley.
"We appeal all stakeholders, including separatists and the government, to declare education as an essential service so that future of younger generation could be saved," Spokesman, JKYDF, Abdul Rasheed said in a statement.
"When world is moving ahead, separatists try to keep our children away from schools, colleges and universities. Education needs normalcy and peace. We all have to play our role," he said.
Rasheed alleged that leaders who claim to be well wishers of Kashmir are in reality pushing people "towards darkness".

He appealed to separatists and the government to allow free movement of school buses and opening of schools.
"Those who are issuing protest calendars and the government should, without any delay, allow the free movement of school buses and opening of schools," he demanded.

"Our society cannot achieve anything if you stop our children from going to schools. It is the responsibility of the society and our leaders to ensure that schools will reopen and children will go back to schools in Kashmir," he added.
"Instead of indulging in rhetoric, we urge all stakeholders in the state, especially Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Hurriyat Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani to devise a concrete plan for the welfare of youths who have become worst victims' of the present turmoil," he said.

He alleged both Mehbooba and Geelani were pushing "our children towards illiteracy for petty political interests".