Calls Poonch, Kupwara Directives a “Humiliation,” Says Balance Needed Between Animal Welfare and Public Safety
Baramulla, Dec 10 : The Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Baramulla constituency, Javid Hassan Baigh has strongly criticized recent administrative orders appointing teachers as nodal officers to manage issues related to stray dogs in and around school premises.
In a social media post, Baigh as per The Web Story/The Varmul Post issued a direct plea: “Stop insulting your teachers, please.”
Elaborating on his stance, the MLA stated, “While sharing thoughts and opinions is important, real transformation happens when like-minded individuals unite in collective action. When intellectuals and influential leaders collaborate toward a common purpose, they have the power to drive meaningful and lasting change in society.”
He said, “Every single day, millions of harmless and sentient animals are slaughtered for our consumption — yet their suffering barely gets a moment of our attention.” However, he emphasized the need for balance, adding, “At the same time, while dogs also have a right to live, public safety cannot be compromised. Protecting genuinely dangerous animals in the name of activism — often driven by publicity rather than responsibility — puts human lives at risk. Compassion must be balanced with common sense.”
MLA Baramulla directly linked this principle to the recent orders, asserting, “And in the midst of all this, even our teachers — the very foundation of our society — are being insulted and humiliated by certain officials. When we disrespect our educators, we weaken the future of our children and our nation.”
The controversy stems from an unconventional directive issued to schools in Poonch district. An official order from the district’s Chief Education Officer (CEO), accessed by The Web Story/The Varmul Post, mandates all government and private schools to appoint a designated “Nodal Officer” to handle stray dog-related issues on school grounds.
Issued following a meeting convened by the Deputy Commissioner on stray dog control and animal birth control, the directive requires these officers to report sightings and incidents to municipal and animal husbandry authorities and to promote safety awareness. The officers’ names, designations, and contact details must be displayed prominently at school entrances.
Drawing and Disbursing Officers and heads of institutions have been directed to ensure compliance and submit the details of the nominated officers within 48 hours.
In a related development, the CEO of Kupwara has also issued instructions to all principals, Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs), and headmasters. They are ordered to display “Beware of Dogs” signage in prominent locations inside and outside school premises to raise awareness. The communication further states, “Moreover, you are further directed to nominate a school nodal officer for the said purpose and submit a compliance report.”
