Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Kashmir Schools Reopen But Classrooms Remain Empty

Anjana Pasricha

   NEW DELHI - Some schools reopened in Indian Kashmir's summer capital,
   Srinagar, on Monday in an effort to ease the unprecedented two-week
   lockdown in the Himalayan region, but classrooms remained virtually
   empty as parents were fearful of sending children out.

   "We appeal to parents to send their children wherever schools have been
   reopened. Security is our responsibility," Shahid Iqbal Choudhary,
   Srinagar's top administrative officer, had said.

   The government had announced that classes would resume at nearly 200
   elementary that were closed after Indian-controlled Kashmir was
   virtually shut down since it was stripped of its autonomous status and
   brought under New Delhi's direct control.

   Several residents, however, told reporters that with communication
   links still down, they preferred to keep children at home due to fears
   of unrest. "It is better that they first restore mobile phone networks;
   only then can our child go to school safely," one parent told an Indian
   television network.

   Some landlines have been restored in the Kashmir valley, but mobile
   phones and the internet are still cut off.

   Government offices reopened Monday and a smattering of traffic returned
   to the city's heavily guarded streets. Some public buses are operating
   in rural areas and officials say they have begun to lift restrictions.

   "It's a step-by-step calibrated process, but the movement is certainly
   in the direction of further easing," said Rohit Kansal, principal
   secretary in Srinagar, on Sunday.

.