Students in Jammu and Kashmir will begin their board examinations today, even as the state administration continues to deal with the crisis caused by the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8. More than one lakh students will appear for the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Examinations at over 1,000 centres in the state, despite having only attended 90 days in the October-October academic session, according to The Indian Express.

State and police officials have assured the public of adequate arrangements and security at exam venues. On Saturday, Inspector General of Police for the Kashmir Zone SJM Gillani said a special facility centre would be set up at police control rooms for officials to provide feedback and coordinate with others during the exams. Another official said that between 10 and 15 police and Central Reserve Police Force personnel would be deployed at each examination centre.

The preparations for the Class 10 and 12 board examinations come as the state continues to deal with the burning of schools by arsonists, curfews, protests, and strikes sponsored by separatist organisations. An increase in cross-border firing between India and Pakistan has also affected education in the state, with the Jammu District Magistrate on November 1 ordered the closure of all 174 schools in the region near India’s border with Pakistan.

At least 25 schools in the state have been set ablaze by unidentified people over the past few months. Burhan Wani’s father Muzaffar Wani has appealed to people to not target educational institutions. Student bodies including the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba have asked state authorities to “create a conducive atmosphere” before holding annual examinations in the region. Reports also said around 174 schools in border areas of Jammu would reopen on Tuesday.

More than 90 people have been killed in unrest in the Valley following Wani’s killing, and hundreds have sustained grievous injuries during protests in the past three months.