Distressed by shutdown, students protest outside Mehbooba Mufti's house

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], Oct. 17 (ANI): As the Kashmir unrest enters 101st day post the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, students on Monday protested outside Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's house demanding reopening of their schools and colleges . "We want to study. Our exams are coming. We just want this 'Hartal' to end," said Humaira, a college student. "We have not studied for several days, what we will do, we have not even completed our syllabus yet," said Afsha, another student. The protesting students later met the Chief Minister and urged her to make proper arrangements for students who would be facing their final examinations. Speaking to ANI, Mehbooba said, "I am quite happy that these students have put forth their concerns to me. Our government's main focus has been the welfare of children and women; we will definitely make proper arrangements. We will also provide tuitions for them so that they don't find any difficulty in appearing for exams. We are also planning to make question papers easy for these students." She also said the 'Scooty Scheme', announced by the state government to provide subsidized vehicle to students who cannot afford transportation, would be provided to the students as early as possible. She also assured the students that security forces manning the schools would be re-deployed once the situation comes under control in the Valley. The unrest began a day after Wani was killed in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8. The following clashes between security forces and locals have left 84 people, including two police, dead and several thousand injured. The Valley also witnessed continuous shutdown for the past 100 days announced by separatists who are spearheading the agitation. Authorities also imposed curfew and restrictions on most of these 100 days, throwing normal life out of gear with mobile Internet services continued to remain suspended across Kashmir. (ANI)