Indo-Pak Tension: Schools Reopening In Punjab Border Districts, JK's Udhampur; Markets Also Open In Rajasthan

As tension eases after India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement, schools in five Punjab districts bordering Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur have reopened on Wednesday, officials said. Earlier, in a slow return to normalcy, the schools in the non-bordering districts were opened.

Punjab shares a 553-kilometre border with Pakistan, spanning the districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Pathankot, Fazilka, Ferozepur and Gurdaspur.

While schools in Gurdaspur reopened on Tuesday, authorities in the other five border districts said academic institutions would reopen on Wednesday, PTI reported.

The district authorities in Pathankot, Tarn Taran and Amritsar on Tuesday said all schools would reopen on Wednesday. Quoting Amritsar district administration, PTI reported, "Schools will open tomorrow (Wednesday) from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm."

In view of the escalating military standoff between India and Pakistan, the state government initially ordered the closure of academic institutions for three days.

Voluntary Blackout In Punjab

While Amritsar administration earlier said people could resume their normal daily activities, to keep safety measures in place, the district authorities in Amritsar and Pathankot also urged citizens to observe a voluntary blackout on Tuesday.

On Monday, blackout measures were enforced in Amritsar and Hoshiarpur's Dasuya and Mukerian areas as a precautionary measure.

"We will switch off streetlights at 8 pm. Please follow a voluntary blackout by switching off all your external lights at this time," Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said in a message.

"Once indoor, please use minimal light or ensure light does not escape outside. However, in case there is a red alert, then please switch off these internal lights as well and stay away from windows," she said in the message.

"We do not want to centrally shut power. However, in case there is a red alert and we find there is no compliance, we will be forced to centrally shut power," she added.

J&K: Schools, Colleges Opening

Several schools in Jammu and Kashmir have reopened on May 13 after a ceasefire was established leading to the cessation of the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan. In a post on X, J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo asserted that, “All schools and colleges will reopen from May 13 in non-border districts of Jammu as well as Kashmir."

However, on Wednesday visuals emerged on social media that schools were opening in the border district of Udhampur as well. However, educational institutes in Kupwara, and Baramulla districts, and those in the Gurez sector of Bandipora are expected to remain closed for now.

According to the officials, Kashmir University will resume classes on Wednesday.

Rajasthan: No Blackouts Scheduled; Schools, Markets Open

As life is returning to normal in border districts of Rajasthan, educational institutions in Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar and Jodhpur reopened on Tuesday and district administrations assured people that no blackouts are scheduled now.

However, the residents are asked to remain alert as Rajasthan shares a 1,070-km frontier with Pakistan.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions were closed as a precautionary measure in many border districts of Rajasthan due to the military tensions between India and Pakistan.

The district administration said that they have withdrawn the order to keep educational activities closed in Sri Ganganagar, Jodhpur and Bikaner.

The Sri Ganganagar administration said, "All types of educational institutions in the district will be able to conduct regular educational activities from May 13.” “Along with this, other prohibitory orders including closing the market from 7 pm till sunrise have been withdrawn with immediate effect," it said.