All private schools in the city remained shut for the 15th consecutive day as parents were apprehensive about the security situation.

A very thin attendance of students marked the first day of the reopening of primary schools in Kashmir on Monday, the first time since the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, which was followed by a largescale security clampdown in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The attendance of students was thin but the staff presence was 30 to 40% in capital Srinagar. The situation by and large remains normal and people continue to offer their cooperation. There was no untoward incident in Jammu,” said Information Director Syed Sehrish Asghar.

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Director of Education Younis Malik admitted that there was “nil to thin attendance” in a majority of schools in Kashmir. “Of the 196 primary schools opened, 72 schools registered a thin attendance of students,” said Mr. Malik.

All top schools like Delhi Public School, Presentation Convent and Burnhall School reopened but no students attended the classes.

According to Mr. Malik, Budgam district saw only 35 schools opening, with students’ attendance between 4 to 12%; Baramulla saw opening of 322 schools out of 671 with 40% staff presence and only 20% students’ presence; Kupwara’s 137 schools saw attendance of 1,000 students; while Bandipora’s 207 schools saw 10 to 12% attendance of students.

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Srinagar Secretariat witnessed 75% attendance, according to officials. Many employees complained that their offices were targeted with stones by protesters in Bemina and other localities in Srinagar city.

DIG B.K. Birdi said restrictions have been extended to 50% police stations in Kashmir.

Mr. Birdi said there were minor incidents of stone-pelting in areas like Nigeen and Safakadal in the city. “They were dealt as per the law,” he added.