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Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government on Saturday (April 17) took over 58 more private schools allegedly affiliated with the proscribed Jamaat-e-Islami outfit, bringing the total number of such schools to nearly 300.

The order, reportedly issued by the secretary of J&K’s school education department, references two notifications issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967) under which Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) was declared as an unlawful association in 2019.

The department has directed the deputy commissioners (DCs) to ensure that the academic activities of the schools in their respective districts remain uninterrupted. The DCs have also been ordered to submit proposals for new managing committees, with all prospective members required to obtain prior police clearance.

“DC shall also take all necessary measures to ensure quality education as per NEP (National Education Policy 2020) norms in these schools,” the order reads.

A video circulating on social media showed a group of armed policemen, some carrying automatic rifles, laying siege to Evershine Public School in the Kultura area of north Kashmir’s Langate on Saturday........

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