The Hindu : National : Army moves out of schools, hospitals

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Army moves out of schools, hospitals

Special Correspondent

SRINAGAR: On the expiry of the November 30 deadline set by Defence Minister A.K. Antony, the Army on Saturday said that it had vacated all the school and hospital buildings under its occupation.

However, there are scores of buildings of other departments under the occupation of the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Defence spokesman Lt. Col. A.K. Mathur said that “there is not a single hospital or school building under the occupation of the Army in Kashmir.” He clarified that the Minister had only announced the vacation of buildings of these two departments keeping in view their importance for the public.

“But we have vacated 15 buildings which even includes those of other departments as well,” Col. Mathur told The Hindu, adding that the process had begun in the first of week of November.

Representatives of the teachers’ union here said the Army still occupies many school buildings, including the Boys Higher Secondary School, Zachaldara, in north Kashmir border district of Kupwara.

Kupwara District Magistrate Kachoo Asfandyar Khan said: “The school is partially occupied by the troops. They shall soon move to other location.”

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