Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Education Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday ordered all private tuition centres in Kashmir valley be closed for 90 days, reported Greater Kashmir. The move comes after protests organised by students over the murder and alleged rape of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua.

He made the announcement while chairing a meeting of chief education officers, zonal education officers and principals of higher secondary schools.

The decision comes just a day after Bukhari had advised students to control their emotions and resume classes. He said Kashmir cannot afford a generation of illiterates and urged students to resume academic activities.

Bukhari also asked the director of school education, Kashmir to submit a list of teachers, masters and lecturers who work in private coaching centres.