The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Minor skirmishes mar peace
Protesters lathicharged, police fires tear gas shells at stone throwers; three injured
Amit Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11
Minor skirmishes were witnessed between the police and protesters in some parts of the city today. The situation remained tense as the police resorted to lathicharged the protesters. After five years, the Army conducted a flag march in the city today. According to the police more than three persons were injured in the clashes today.

In protest against the communal violence in Kishtwar, agitators threw stones at the police, which resorted to lathicharge and fired tear gas shells as the protests continued despite the curfew for the third day today.

(Clockwise from top) The BC Road wears a deserted look; residents of Mishriwala protest against Kishtwar violence; children play on an empty road in Rehari area and a view of a closed petrol pump at Gandhi Nagar in Jammu. Tribune photos: Anand Sharma/Inderjeet Singh

The entire city wore a deserted look throughout the day. A clash between protesters and the police was reported at Raipur Domana this afternoon. The protesters torched a Tata Sumo and some push carts were also set ablaze in the clash. They also threw stones at the police.

More clashes reported at Subash Nagar, Janipur, Sarwal, Purani Mandi and City Chowk. The motorcycle of a protester was also damaged by the police at Sarwal. Protesters drove around on motorcycles at some places, shouting slogans against the state government in the city.

Residents also protested at their areas against the state administration for its failure in controlling violence in Kishtwar.

At sensitive areas like Purani Mandi City Chowk, New Plot, Janipur, Reahari which are in the control of the Army, no clash has been reported so far. The protestors also burnt tyres to block roads in different parts of the city.

jammu university suspends classes

Jammu University has suspended classes to be held on August 12. Dhanvantri Library closed. The counseling for MCA admissions, scheduled to be held on Monday, has also been postponed.

Jammu-Udhampur rail link restored after five days
Amit Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11
Traffic resumed on the Jammu-Udhampur railway track after a gap of five days this morning. A major landslide had destroyed the track near Tunnel-16 (T-16) between Manwal-Ramnagar on Tuesday. All seven trains reached Udhampur on Sunday.

The railway officials said rail traffic has been restored on the track, which links the Northern Command of the Army, based in Udhampur, with the rail link with the rest of the country.

RN Meena, Divisional Traffic Manager, Jammu said, "After work overnight, the track inspector gave his nod at 5 am and the Uttar Sampark Kranti was sent to Udhampur at 7 am."

"All other trains for Udhampur have also being sent to Udhampur and the rail track is in normal condition for rail traffic," he added.

There are seven trains for Udhampur from Jammu; Malwa Express, Jammu Mail, Uttar Sampark Kranti, Summer Special and three DMUs. All these trains were affected due to the landslide at the Tunnel-16 near Manwal. The engine of the Malwa Express got stuck into the debris, which took three days to get removed.

Thousands of passengers travel daily in DMUs and other connecting trains to Udhampur on this track as the line is an important link for Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (JUSBRL) project to connect Kashmir with the rest of the country. Construction of the line was the biggest project undertaken by the Indian Railways in the mountainous terrain.

Panun Kashmir writes to NHRC
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11
Panun Kashmir (PK), a frontal organisation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, today decided to register a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) about the recent communal violence in Kishtwar.

The executive council of the organisation met here today and discussed the political situation arising out of the clash between two communities on the festival of Eid during which several shops and business establishments were raised to ground.

PK president, Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo said the organisation had been championing the cause of minority rights, human rights and civil liberties of the minorities of the state for past two decades, since the exodus of minority community from the Valley began.

"We cannot be quiet on the issue that has the potential to ethnically cleanse Kishtwar of its hapless minorities. In this context, a letter has been sent to the NHRC," Chrangoo said.

Chrangoo alleged the state government had miserably failed in its duties to protect the minorities and instead had taken draconian measures to muzzle their voice and means of contact. "The latest in this series is its decision to stop and ban the GPRS services in the state. I may recall that in 2008, under similar circumstances, the state government had banned news channels and raided their offices to cover their failures," he alleged.

PDP wants MoS Home to quit
Tribune News Service

Samba, August 11
Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) leader Sunny Sangral has demanded resignation of Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo for his failure to stop violence against the minority community in Kishtwar. Sangral has also criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for not allowing PDP president Mehbooba Mufti to visit Kishtwar.

The party held a meeting at Samba and expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in the state. Sangral alleged that it was unfortunate that policemen were given free run by the district administration, which led to the death of Arvind Bhagat, who was shot dead by a policeman.

“We demand resignation of the minister as there were allegations against him that the minister did nothing for hours, which allowed rampaging policemen to target shops and houses of the minority community. There should be an inquiry into the role and failure of the Home Minister to deal with the situation, in the communally sensitive area,” Sangral said.

He said it was unfortunate that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had failed to stop the communal elements and anti-national people.

The PDP leader has demanded Rs 10 lakh as the compensation to the family of Arvind Bhagat and government job for one of the family member. Besides, compensation shall also be paid to all shopkeepers and people whose property got destroyed in the violence.

Those present in the meeting included Nitin Goswami, Thakur Banu Pratap Singh, Sonu Atri, Hemant Sharma, Shyma, Mohammed Abass, Raj Kumar Goyal, Ghulam Rasool and Pankaj Sangral.

Judicial probe sought into Kishtwar violence
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11
Senior Congress leader and former minister Yogesh Sawhney while expressing concern over the deteriorating situation of the state demanded an impartial judicial probe into the lapse that led to communal violence in Kishtwar.

He said the inquiry by the Jammu Divisional Commissioner, ordered by state government, was an eyewash and the entire situation must be investigated independently by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court.

Sawhney said people had lost faith in the administration due to which an independent and impartial inquiry should be ordered by the state government. The situation, he said, was deteriorating with each passing hour and the state government was behaving like a mute spectator.

The lapse in Kishtwar that led to violence was condemnable and by merely shifting the Deputy Commissioner or SSP, Kishtwar, the state government could not wash its hands off this wreck that was unleashed in mountainous town.

Sawhney revealed that had the former Chief Minister and Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, not intervened and asked the district administration to impose a curfew and seek assistance of the Army, the situation would have further aggravated.

It was because of the timely intervention of Ghulam Nabi Azad that the situation was brought under control. At a time when the state or district administration had collapsed, it was Azad who personally took the initiative and brought the situation under control.

He asked why the administration did not clamp a curfew in Kishtwar during the first few hours of eruption of trouble. Apprehending that trouble could lead to violence and large-scale destruction, the state government could have asked for the assistance of the Army and imposed a curfew. He urged the people not to fall prey to rumours and maintain calm during this hour of distress. He hoped that the people irrespective of their caste, creed, region or religion would maintain calm and cooperate to bring in peace.

SMGS bio-chem laboratory resumes functioning
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11
Patients heaved a sigh of relief at the Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital as its bio- chemistry laboratory resumed functioning. An electrical snag was rectified by engineers to repair the machines. There was a lot of resentment among the people as they had to visit Government Medical College (GMC) to get tests conducted.

Since the fault was detected a week ago, patients had to visit the GMC even for minor tests. Hundreds of patients and children are brought to the hospital everyday from different parts of the region. The SMGS is the only government-run specialised gynaecology and paediatrics hospital. The 550-bed hospital was overburdened with the burgeoning number of patients. It accommodates more than 700 indoor patients on a regular basis, which is beyond its existing capacity.

"Though it will take more few days till the machinery is fully functional, but some 200 tests have been conducted since Saturday. The fault was repaired by the engineers and it was found that the electric supply wire had some problem," said a senior lab technician. The hospital is also facing shortage of manpower, equipment and infrastructure but not much has been to rid it of these problems.

“The oldest hospital of the state is fast losing its credibility among the people with the increasing risk to life of infant and mother during child birth. They are facing risk at every level,” sources said.

The quality of healthcare in the hospital has been facing a major challenge due to the shortage of staff as hundreds of posts of para-medical staff had been lying vacant for years. There is a shortage of doctors also, which is a major hindrance in the way of providing medical care to pregnant women.

Un-metered run of autos continues
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11
The menace of auto rickshaw drivers charging at will continues owing to the failure of the authorities to ensure that the mandatory electronic meters are installed in them as per the directives of the government. Officials have failed to monitor the rates being charged by them.

Two years back, the district administration had directed the auto unions to comply with the order and install electric meters in their vehicles for which the Department of Transport will help them.

As per the rates fixed by the government, for the first one kilometre, the fare has to be charged at Rs 12.50 and Rs 9.50 for subsequent kilometres. The auto unions have demanded that the rates must be revised keeping in view the fuel price increase.

“Auto drivers charge exorbitantly and always charge more than the fare fixed by the Road Transport Office, Jammu," said Surbi Sharma, a resident of Gandhi Nagar.

In many instances, many commuters alleged that whenever a commuter asks that the meter be turned on, drivers make the excuse that the meters are not working and that a different system is in force in Jammu.

Couple of years ago, we heard that the authorities concerned were planning to install electronic meters, but nothing of the sort happened on the ground, moreover each electronic meter is very costly, which auto-rickshaw operators have to pay from his pocket,” Suresh, another auto-rickshaw driver at Jewel Chowk.

Corruption on wheels

Auto-rickshaw drivers charge at will owing to the failure of the authorities to ensure that electronic meters are installed in them

The government has fixed ~12.50 for the first km and ~9.50 for rest

The auto unions have demanded that the rates must be revised keeping in view of fuel price rise

Deal strictly with erring institutes, officers told
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11
Admitting that lack of willingness among educational institutions to deposit the School Games Fund in the district pool needs an immediate attention, the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) has issued strict instructions to its officers to deal strictly with erring institutions.

Sources said before the commencement of the competitions, the department had gone to the extent of issuing a circular to all educational institutions to deposit their respective games fund in the district pool otherwise their students would not be allowed to compete in events but that strategy did not work well for the department to achieve success.

Sources added that the department was more concerned about the private institutions who had not deposited the games fund, despite issuance of various reminders.

"The new Director General, Youth Services and Sports, Naveen Aggarwal, after taking the reins had took a serious note of this lapse on the part of the educational institutions and directed all officers concerned to ensure adequate deposits of games fund for effective functioning of the Sports Department," sources in the DYSS said.

Sources claimed that Tirath Ram, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Jammu, had already convened a meeting of zonal physical education officers of all 14 zones and emphasised upon the collection of School Games Fund at the earliest. Further, he also instructed the officers to visit the institutions personally to aware the management about depositing of games fund.

There is a need to take some more stringent measures in order to put pressure on the erring institutions who continues to defy all norms. Though, the department has been able to convince the institutions to deposit the School Games Fund, but both the pace and number of institutions has been a real worry for us. These institutions are earning so much, but still are hesitant to deposit their share of games fund in the district pool which is a real worry for the department," a DYSS claimed on the condition of anonymity.

It is pertinent to mention here that the educational institutions of every district have to deposit the 50 per cent of school games fund in the district pool of their respective District Youth Services Offices for the purchase of sports material and uniforms for the students competing in the district and inter-district level competitions.

School Games Fund deposit issue

The Department of Youth Services and Sports had issued a circular to all educational institutions to deposit their respective games fund in the district pool. Otherwise, their students would not be allowed to compete in events, but that strategy did not work well
The educational institutions of every district have to deposit the 50 per cent of school games fund in the district pool of their respective District Youth Services Offices for the purchase of sports material and uniforms for the students competing in the district and inter-district level competitions

Shakti Nagar residents face sewage problems
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11
Residents of Shakti Nagar organised a meeting yesterday to discuss problems of a nullah which flows through the middle of the locality and creates havoc even after a small drizzle.

Harwant Singh Bhau, president, Shakti Nagar Welfare Forum (SNWF), said every year during rains, a havoc-like situation was created in the entire area as the foul-smelling water flows into majority of houses and garbage spreads all across the locality with the overflow of the nullah.

The matter has been brought into the notice of various departments concerned, but to no avail. Bhau said it was the third incident that majority of the houses of the Shakti Nagar locality were submerged on Friday. Residents finally held a protest demonstration by blocking the Poonch Highway on Monday. Residents had even approached Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who had assured of all possible help, but despite several reminders, no one acted upon it.

Body found
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11
The body of Rajender Kumar of New Plot area was found at Talli Morh in New Plot area here this morning. The deceased was a driver by profession. He died of poisoning, the police said.

The family of the deceased has accused a woman and her husband of killing him.

Sub Inspector, Sunil Sharma, Police post in charge said, "It seems to be a case of poisoning. We handed over the body to the family after postmortem."

The police has detained the accused woman, her husband and mother-in-law for investigation and a case has been registered under Section 174 CrPC.

Bhagat Club win volleyball match
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11
Bhagat Club overcame the challenge of Chander Club in the summit clash to emerge victorious in the volleyball exhibition match played at Sarore village here today. Chander Club could not keep the momentum after fetching the inaugural set by a comfortable margin of 25-16.

After 0-1 down, Bhagat Club got their act together and drew parity by clinching the second set by 25-19. With both teams levelled at 1-1, it was Bhagat Club which took the lead by pocketing the third set by 25-15.

Chander Club had their chances in the fourth set to make a comeback, but the spikers failed to deliver the knock-out punch just when it was needed the most. As a result, the club lost the set by 17-25.

Mushtaq football tourney in Sept
Tribune News Service

Jammu, August 11
The 15th Mushtaq Memorial All India Football Tournament organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) will be held in the second week of September at Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar.

The preparations for this prestigious event mega event are being made by the organising committee under the guidance of the Additional Director General of Armed Police, SM Sahai. A total of 10 teams are likely to compete in the championship. Though the authorities are still in a thinking mode for the final date of the competition, but it is most likely to be conducted in the month of September.

Unlike previous edition, wherein four teams had participated, the organisers of the tournament are hopeful of participation of about 50 teams. Pertinently, the 14th edition of the championship was won by J&K Bank.