BANDIPORA: Outside an abandoned school building in Doli Mohalla of village Benlipora in Bandipora district, burnt cigarette butts and used syringes are strewn across its unkempt compound. Few bits and remnants can also be seen inside its now dingy rooms.
The decrepit building that once bustled with students, teachers, and knowledge, now stands as a stark reminder of bureaucratic oversight and community concerns. Anxious residents watch helplessly as their children's former classroom transforms into a den of substance abuse.
"Groups of unknown people gather here after dusk. As parents, we're terrified about the influence on our younger generation," shares a worried local resident, voicing the community's growing fears about drug abuse activities in the abandoned forlorn looking structure.
From Classroom to Shady Den
The building's story begins twelve years ago when it was constructed under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme. After serving students for several years, declining enrollment led to its merger with Government Primary School, Halmatpora in 2017. Since then, the structure has been left to decay – its windows shattered, doors broken, and school property either stolen or destroyed.
Additionally, it has allegedly turned into a hot spot for illegal activities, including substance abuse and vandalism. Locals fear that its continued neglect could lead to more serious security threats.
Residents say the abandoned school has become a shelter for drug addicts and gamblers, posing a direct threat to the safety of children and women in the area. Some residents say they have found used syringes and empty cigarette packs strewn across the premises.
Some signs of the same are visible on any day.
A local resident reveals that a few months ago, he saw a group of teenagers who were apparently from outside the village smoking and gambling there. Conversations with some other villagers reveal this is a regular occurrence.
Benlipora is a fairly large village. Home to about 6000 people, it is located 15 kilometres from the district headquarters at Bandipora. The 700 plus families of this village are worried about the potential threats posed by the abandoned building.
"Due to a lack of care and negligence by the administration, the school building is deteriorating. We have knocked on the administration's door many times to address this issue, but nobody takes the matter seriously," says Sara Begum, local panchayat ward member of Doli Mohalla, Benlipora.
Official Musical Chair
Adding to the community's frustration is a puzzling administrative decision. "We are surprised that, although the school was merged with Halmatpora Primary School in 2017, washrooms and a kitchen were built on the school premises one and half year ago. We are unable to understand the purpose of these constructions," explains a local resident, highlighting the apparent disconnect between planning and implementation.
“We had 27 vacant buildings, all of which were handed over to the district administration. The primary school building in Doli Mohalla was allotted to the Revenue Department through an order issued by the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, vide order No. 60, dated 08/06/2020,” says Kishore Kumar, Chief Education Officer, Bandipora.
However, the revenue department also shirked responsibility. “We received an order from the Deputy Commissioner’s office, but we refused to take this building because it was not in an appropriate location,” said the Revenue Official, Tehsil Aloosa.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Bandipora pleaded complete ignorance about the matter. “I have no information regarding this matter, so I can’t say anything about it. I don’t even know where this place is located,” said Zaffar Shawal, the ADC.
Demand to establish healthcare facility
Bandipora MLA, Nizamuddin Bhat, admitted that there are many such abandoned buildings under various departments but assured he would look into the matter. “In the interest of the public, I will take up this matter with the Deputy Commissioner. I will identify all these abandoned buildings and assess their condition. After that, we will put them to proper use,” he said.
Benlipora villagers say they have urged the administration to set up a dispensary in this building, emphasizing the urgent need for healthcare facilities.
One of them, Aijaz Ahmad told the Kashmir Times, "We request the administration to establish a dispensary in this building because we need a dispensary or the building should be handed over to another department for proper use.” Everyone spoken to said that this building should not be left empty.
For now, the people of this area can only wait and hope that officials take action before something serious happens.
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