326 Solar Batteries Stolen from Government Schools in Anantnag Since 2022

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag, May 14: In a troubling trend, thieves have stolen at least 326 solar panel batteries from various government schools across District Anantnag since 2022, causing significant loss to public infrastructure.

According to official sources, the batteries—worth lakhs of rupees—were stolen from 23 government schools, including 15 high schools, 5 higher secondary schools, and 3 middle schools.

The most recent incident occurred on February 10, 2025, when unidentified miscreants stole 16 batteries from Government High School Brah Shangus.

The solar panels had been installed under the Samagra Shiksha (SS) scheme, with technical support from the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA), to enhance the basic infrastructure of government-run schools.

In 2022 ,82 batteries were stolen from 7 schools in 2023 ,160 batteries were stolen from 10 schools ,In 2024 ,68 batteries were  stolen from 5 school and in 2025 (so far),16 batteries have been stolen from 1 school.

Since 2018, solar panels have been installed in 162 government schools across the district. However, since 2022, nearly one in seven schools has fallen victim to theft, with the stolen batteries amounting to losses worth several lakhs.

Speaking to The Arising State on condition of anonymity, an official from the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Anantnag’s office said, “We have already lodged FIRs at the concerned police stations regarding these thefts. We urge law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter seriously and take action against those responsible.”

The rising number of thefts has raised concerns among educators and administrators, who fear that such incidents may discourage future infrastructure upgrades and disrupt power supply to schools in remote areas.