Expressing concern over the burning of schools in Kashmir, All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) has asked people of the valley to come forward and ensure that no further damage is done to any school in Kashmir.In a statement issued to KNS, APSCC Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina while condemning the burning of schools said that it highly unfortunate that news of gutting of one or two schools in valley are received on daily basis. Raina said that it is the responsibility of every Kashmiri to ensure security of the educational institutions in the valley.“The gutting of schools concerns every Kashmiri living in the valley and people especially the youth have to come forward and save the schools from being gutted in future. It is also important that the persons responsible for the burning of schools are exposed so that the truth comes out loud and clear. Kashmiri society is aware and conscious and nobody can drive us to illiteracy,” said APSCC chairman.
Raina said that separatist leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik should ask the people on ground to keep watch on anti-social elements which are out to cause irreparable damage to education sector in Kashmir. He said that separatist leaders should also keep a watch on people who are stoning cars, trucks, hospital vehicles, essential commodity vehicles and media people and their cars during the relaxed period of protest calendar.“Sikh community is concerned about their children who have not gone through their books ever since the start of present uprising. Both majority and minority (Sikh) children have sacrificed their valuable time of education and it is imminent that the children would lose one year of their education. This coupled with burning of schools is all set to lead the future generation of Kashmir towards illiteracy which Kashmiris won’t allow,” said APSCC chairman.Meanwhile, APSCC has re-organized its district bodies.
Master Kuldeep Singh Bali and Manjeet Singh have been elected as President and General Secretary of APSCC Central comprising of Srinagar and Budgam districts. S Fauja Singh and Ratan Singh Kanwal have been elected as President and General Secretary of APSCC South comprising of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam districts. Master Kuldeep Singh Bali, President APSCC Central has taken a serious note of mischief carried out by certain elements by pelting stones on some minority locality during Diwali few days back. He said that nefarious designs of such people would be foiled and Kashmiriyat, age old bond of brotherhood would continue to flourish.Other Sikh leaders including Karan Singh (retired Tehsildar), Popinder Singh, Kishanjeet Singh Bali, Tara Singh and GPC Anantnag President Inderjit Singh have also appealed to strengthen unity among the various communities in Kashmir society. (KNS)