Teacher sets up makeshift schools for children affected by Kashmir violence

Kashmiri students attand assembly at an Indian school in Uri

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Wedding halls and prayer rooms have been turned into classrooms in Indian-administered Kashmir as families struggle to provide children with a normal life after more than 50 days of the region国产视频檚 worst violence in years.

At least 68 civilians and two security officials have been听killed and more than 9000 people injured, according to official听tallies, in clashes between those protesting at Indian rule听and security forces.

Authorities trying to stifle protests that erupted after a听young militant leader was gunned down by the security forces on听July 8 ordered schools and colleges to close two days later. There国产视频檚 no sign of them reopening.

Teacher Ghulam Rasool Kambay, seeing children becoming听increasingly restless cooped up at home, decided to do听something. He opened a tutorial centre in a village on August 3 and now has more than a dozen of them in villages in a district south of the region国产视频檚 main city of Srinagar.

国产视频淭he response is good. We have about 800 students in these听centres. Parents are eager to send their children as they have听no option right now,国产视频� Kambay told Reuters.

Students find their way to the makeshift schools in small听groups through back lanes, careful not to attract the attention听of police. They often sit on the floor as there are not enough desks and share books.

国产视频淚t国产视频檚 more like a self-learning exercise, just a way to keep听in touch with books,国产视频� said Muneer Wani, 16, at his temporary听school at a mosque where classes begin after morning prayers.

Kashmiri youths听shout slogans during a protest in Srinagar

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Muneer said it was the only place to meet friends and study.

国产视频淲e can国产视频檛 even go outdoors,国产视频� he said.

Disputed Kashmir is claimed by both India and Pakistan and听has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years, sparking two wars听between them.

Militant groups have taken up arms to fight for independence听from Indian rule or to merge with Pakistan. India has blamed听Pakistan for supporting the violence. Pakistan denies that.

Thousands of teenage boys defy a curfew every day and gather in groups to throw stones at police. Almost all of the deaths have been caused by security forces shooting at protesters.

On the streets of Srinagar, people have scrawled 国产视频淕o India,听go back国产视频�.

Zubair Ahmad said he was too worried about the safety of his听two children to send them to classes at a nearby mosque. His wife has been teaching them at home instead 国产视频� but the children were getting restless, he said.

国产视频淚t is very difficult for children 国产视频� they国产视频檝e become听aggressive.国产视频�

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