Beas (Punjab), Sept 17: Defence Minister George Fernandes today launched a project for educating children, hit by militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, by army here and said such schemes would be extended to other parts of the country. Under the project, the Army Public School, Beas, would admit 101 militancy-hit students for providing education.

The expenses involved in their education would be borne by army. "I have spoken to the army chief for initiating such projects in other parts of the country so that more children from Kashmir can get quality education," Fernandes said on the occasion.

He said five teachers from the Valley would be employed by the school for educating the 101 children.

The Defence Minister lauded army formations in Srinagar for containing terrorism and looking after the welfare of the people by providing medical aid.


The Chief of Army Staff Gen N C Vij said the 101 children to be adopted by the school were from all religions. Beas had been selected as it had required infrastructure and proximity to Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Syed said terrorism in the state had destroyed educational infrastructures and the worst sufferers were children.

Bureau Report