Burhan Wani's father condemns burning schools, appeals to refrain from targeting educational institutions in Kashmir

Muzzafar Wani, father of Hizbul commander Burhan whose killing sparked unrest in Kashmir, Tuesday expressed "deep pain" over the burning down of schools in the Valley and made a fervent appeal to those behind it to refrain from targeting educational institutions.

Muzzafar Wani, a retired government teacher, told PTI over phone from his residence in Tral of South Kashmir that "as a teacher, whenever a school is burnt down, my heart is set on fire.""This is not right. Whosoever is responsible for this is doing no good to the society. A society without any education is lifeless.

They do not have any identity," Wani said and made it clear that he was making this statement as a teacher and not as any leader."My appeal to all people as well as 'agencies' is that whoever is doing this is not doing the correct thing. For God's sake, please refrain from such acts because education is the only thing which will help us in becoming good humans," he aid.

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Over 25 educational institutions have been burnt by iscreants in the Kashmir Valley since July 9, a day after urhan was killed in an encounter in South Kashmir."This is not right. Whosoever is responsible for this, t's not right.

It will be lifeless without any education and, herefore, whosoever is indulging in such acts is doing no ood to the society," he said.Asked about forced closure of educational institutions n the Valley following the prolonged unrest, Wani said, "I am ained that the children are being deprived of education."People are coming out themselves, I am not responsible or it.

When Burhan Wani was killed, I had appealed that there hould be a day's strike but there is no control on the ituation as of now".However, he also held the state and Central government esponsible for the situation saying that they are not coming ut with any initiative to bring an end to the unrest."This the govermemt should have thought.

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There is no nitiative from the government. Police excesses are increasing very day. There should be some initiative from the state as ell as Central governments."People will cooperate only when there is some kind of eriousness (from the government side).

This unrest is not iked by many," he said.The issue of burning down of educational institutions ame under legal scrutiny yesterday when Jammu and Kashmir igh Court took a suo motu cognisance of news report about urning down of schools in the Valley.

The High Court directed police and civil administration o ensure the protection of the institutions besides unmasking he "mysterious enemies of education" and deal with them with n "iron hand".The court listed the case for next hearing on November 7 nd directed the three officials to remain present.