Srinagar: Government Women’s Industrial Training Institute (ITI) located in Margund Kangan area of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district continues to be occupied by paramilitary forces since August last year when the special status of the erstwhile state was revoked.
Scores of educational institutions in Kashmir were taken over by the paramilitary forces days ahead of 5 August. Later on, many were vacated. However, the Women’s ITI Kangan is still under forces’ occupation.
“The paramilitary forces have partially occupied two of our buildings, and one fully (a two-storey building) of our institution. Our education is badly affected,” a student told.
The students said that “draftsman civil, early childhood educator and hand embroidery class rooms are still under occupation while security bunkers are being erected outside the main entrance”.
“How can we study when there are forces inside our class rooms. Even most of us are not attending the classes,” they said.
The students have appealed the Lt Governor to look into the matter and take necessary step to withdraw these forces as soon as possible so that they can resume their classes.
When contacted, Superintendent Women’s ITI Kangan GN Shah said, “I have taken up the matter several times with higher authorities but nothing has been done yet.”
Despite repeated attempts, the Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Shafqat Iqbal could not be reached for comments. (GNS)
