A semblance of normalcy returned to the Kashmir valley on Monday as schools re-open for the first time in nearly three months.br br The state has been in a siege-like state of strikes, protests and curfew since June, the largest pro-independence demonstrations in two decades.br br More than 100 people have been killed, most of them in police firing.br br The attendance in the schools was around 20 percent, but authorities say they are hopeful that gradually those numbers will improve.br br One of the students is looking forward to resuming his classes.br br [Umar Altaf, Student]:br "I am very happy that schools are reopening. Even we want to pursue higher studies.br (Q. Would you like to request other parents send their children to school?) br Yes, why not. There is no harm in sending them to school. If somebody asks the students then they can show their identity card. Nobody would say anything to them. Even I came to the school but nobody stopped me.”br br Another student said a prolonged absence from schools would hurt the students education.br br [Abrar Ahmad, Student]:br "We are feeling happy to attend school after such a long break. Our studies have already suffered a lot and we would like to request that because our studies have been adversely affected by the ongoing situation, now we want to attend our classes regularly. We want to appear for competitive exams, so it is essential for us to attend school."br br Separatist hardliners want to merge Indian Kashmir with Pakistan, and have rejected New Delhi's offer of talks.br br Past failures in talks between New Delhi and Kashmir leaders have only added to an air of distrust in Kashmir, which is at the heart of the rivalry between India and Pakistan.br br Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who has emerged as the leading face of the present cycle of street violence, has rejected the offer outright and announced a 10-day protest.br br Some of the students appealed to Geelani to let them continue with their classes.