CBSE Postpones Today's Board Exams In Violence-Hit Northeast Delhi

The Central Board Of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed today's Class 10 and 12 board examinations in violence-hit northeast Delhi after a government request. Examinations in rest of Delhi will be conducted as scheduled, the CBSE said in a press release.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted on Tuesday that all internal examinations in northeast Delhi have been postponed. Schools will stay shut for the second consecutive day today. Mr Sisodia, in his tweet, said that CBSE was requested to postpone today's board exam in view of the deadly clashes in the national capital's northeast.

The new dates of the examination will be notified soon, the release said. Deferred exams include two in English Literature for Class 10 and three in Media and Web Applications for Class 12. There are 86 centres in northeast Delhi.

"Schools in violence-affected Northeast Delhi will remain closed tomorrow. Internal exams have been postponed. CBSE is also requested to postpone tomorrow's board exam," Manish Sisodia tweeted in Hindi on Tuesday.

#CBSEBoardExam2020 #examtime @PIB_India @PTI_News @HRDMinistry @DDNewslive @OfficeOfSDhotre @DrRPNishank @DrRPNishank @PIBHindi pic.twitter.com/oVADX8v024

— CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) February 25, 2020

CBSE's decision comes after the Delhi High Court ruled that the safety of children cannot be put at risk and asked the board to decide as soon as possible on rescheduling tomorrow's board exam at one of the centre's in northeast Delhi. Students say it was difficult for them to reach the examination centre due to clashes over the new citizenship law.

Relentless arson, vandalism and stone-throwing has hit Delhi's northeast for more than 24 hours which have claimed 13 lives so far, including that of a cop's. Over 150 have been injured of which 70 have gunshot wounds. Smoke billowed in the air as shops were set ablaze and unruly mobs roamed the streets; violence cut a swathe through many localities including Bhajanpura, Chand Bagh and Karawal Nagar.

Over 6,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed to control the unprecedented violence. This evening, police resorted to using tear gas shells in Chand Bagh to control the clashes.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said the violence in the national capital appears to have been "orchestrated" by some for publicity as it comes at a time when Donald Trump is visiting the country.