Schools and colleges in the rural areas of Kashmir valley recorded up to 80 per cent attendance on Monday as they reopened after almost three months despite a shut down call by separatists. The attendance was low in Srinagar and some other urban areas. Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah appealed to the separatists including Syed Ali Shah Geelani to cooperate in saving precious academic year of the students.Centre expressed happiness over re opening of schools and colleges after people disregarded a call by a faction of Hurriyat leaders. Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram appealed all section of people particularly parents to cooperate with the state government to ensure that all educational institutions function normally. Mr. Chidambaram said that there were some minor incidents of stone pelting on school buses at three places and questioned how can any, right thinking persons pelt stones on school buses. Mr. Chidambaram asserted anyone interested in the functioning of schools and colleges cannot indulge in stone pelting or extend any support to such mischievous attempts. The Home Minister expressed confidence that few schools and colleges that remained closed on Monday, will reopen on Tuesday and attendance will further improve. He said government of Jammu and Kashmir will provide security to students to attend schools and colleges. In a related development, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has directed the expert group set up by him to ensure the employment opportunities generated in Jammu and Kashmir are sustainable.Meanwhile, the situation is continuously improving and curfew has been lifted from some towns of North Kashmir including Baramulla, Handwara and Bandipora on Monday. In Srinagar curfew has been relaxed in the Civil Lines area for five hours. Relaxation has also been given in other curfew bound towns for few hours in phased manner. On Sunday curfew was lifted from South Kashmir districts.

Schools and colleges in the rural areas of Kashmir valley recorded up to 80 per cent attendance on Monday as they reopened after almost three months despite a shut down call by separatists. The attendance was low in Srinagar and some other urban areas. Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah appealed to the separatists including Syed Ali Shah Geelani to cooperate in saving precious academic year of the students.Centre expressed happiness over re opening of schools and colleges after people disregarded a call by a faction of Hurriyat leaders. Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram appealed all section of people particularly parents to cooperate with the state government to ensure that all educational institutions function normally. Mr. Chidambaram said that there were some minor incidents of stone pelting on school buses at three places and questioned how can any, right thinking persons pelt stones on school buses. Mr. Chidambaram asserted anyone interested in the functioning of schools and colleges cannot indulge in stone pelting or extend any support to such mischievous attempts. The Home Minister expressed confidence that few schools and colleges that remained closed on Monday, will reopen on Tuesday and attendance will further improve. He said government of Jammu and Kashmir will provide security to students to attend schools and colleges. In a related development, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has directed the expert group set up by him to ensure the employment opportunities generated in Jammu and Kashmir are sustainable.Meanwhile, the situation is continuously improving and curfew has been lifted from some towns of North Kashmir including Baramulla, Handwara and Bandipora on Monday. In Srinagar curfew has been relaxed in the Civil Lines area for five hours. Relaxation has also been given in other curfew bound towns for few hours in phased manner. On Sunday curfew was lifted from South Kashmir districts.