Srinagar, May 06: Despite escalating tensions and intermittent shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), a government school in the last village of the Nowgam sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district remained open on Tuesday, with students attending regular classes.
Locals praised the dedication of teachers and students who continue to show up despite the looming threat of cross-border violence. “Our children go to school hoping their education doesn’t suffer,” said Abdul Rasheed, a resident. “But every day they leave home, we worry for their safety.”
What worries residents even more is the total lack of protective infrastructure. “There are no bunkers—neither in schools nor in the community,” said another local, Shabeena Bano. “If, God forbid, something happens, we have nowhere to run. Our homes are made of wood. A single spark could reduce them to ashes.”
Tensions have been heightened by recent ceasefire violations following the Pahalgam attack, with locals reporting the sound of gunfire and mortar blasts from across the border. The Indian Army has reportedly responded in real time. In an effort to enhance preparedness, the Ministry of Home Affairs has scheduled mock drills across sensitive areas, including Jammu and Kashmir. Students in Nowgam say they are ready to participate in the upcoming drill on May 7. “We just want peace. War destroys everything—homes, lives and dreams,” a young student said.
Local MLA Sheikh Khurshid, who recently visited the area, assured residents their concerns would be taken up. “I have spoken to the villagers and seen the conditions for myself,” he said. “There is an urgent need for safety infrastructure in these frontline communities.” Even as the border remains volatile, the determination of Nowgam’s students and teachers stands as a potent symbol—one increasingly overshadowed by fear. Locals are urging the government to act swiftly and ensure that the pursuit of education does not come at the cost of safety.
