13 J&K teachers detained for ‘glorifying militancy’

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir police recently detained 13 teachers of a private school in north Kashmir’s Baramulla for allegedly glorifying militancy and motivating students to become militants, officials with knowledge of the case said.

Eleven teachers were released after stern warning and intervention from senior citizens.

Last week, a video on social media showed how dozens of students appeared to be ‘acting as militants’, said an officer linked with the investigation. The video, shot when the students were on a school excursion, was similar to those regularly released by militants to ‘showcase their achievements’ and lure the youth towards militancy, the officer said on condition of anonymity.

In the viral video, the students are being apparently encouraged by some teachers to perform and act as militants while other boys are playing songs eulogising the death of militants. The songs have been previously used by militants in propaganda videos, the police officer said.

In another video, two students can be seen posing with sticks as if they were guns. Though these

are only mock-ups, another police officer said the videos could easily “brainwash” young boys and drive them to militancy.

The police took serious note of the incident and detained all the teachers of the school. Chief education officer, Baramulla, Abdul Ahad said the matter was being investigated. “Stern action will be taken against the school.” The school management, however, refused to comment.

“This shows how some teachers

with vested interests whose mandate is to turn young boys into disciplined students and good citizens are encouraging them to take up guns,” said an officer investigating the case.

Another officer said the parents wanted the administration to intervene. He said that two teachers were still in custody, as the police have recovered objectionable material from them. The officer added that one of them could have made the videos.