Educational institutions affected in Nagpur, some directed to close, others voluntarily shut down

 Several schools and colleges in Nagpur were closed on Tuesday, with some closing down voluntarily and others being directed to close by the authorities following large-scale violence in the city after a protest against Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's tomb. 

District collector Dr Vipin Itankar confirmed that the closure order was restricted to educational institutions within the affected areas.

"We have directed the closure of all educational institutions in the affected areas. No orders have been given at the district level, as the law and order situation is normal in other areas," Itankar explained.

Other schools chose to shut down as a precaution. One school, just short of 10km from the center of the unrest, closed down for the day. The principal said, "Many of our students are from the affected area, and we felt it best to close as a precaution."

District education officer Rohini Kumbhar further stated that school principals were free to announce holidays if they felt the situation in their locality was not safe.

"Schools are free to make decisions on the safety and welfare of their students," Kumbhar said.

Aside from schools, even the owners of school buses adopted a cautious stance. Samar Jog, an executive member of School Bus Owners Association, said, "We decided to leave route closure to members' discretion. But most chose not to travel today. Of about 1,200 buses in the district, with 750 plying within the municipal limits, buses in rural areas will probably keep running."