Jammu, October 31
With the Durbar Move offices reopening in the winter capital city on November 4, the road outside the Civil Secretariat, connecting Dogra Hall road with the busy Ranbireshwar Temple rotary (also known as Palace Road), will be closed for the general public for next six months due to security reasons.

The closure of road is set to compound the problems of commuters and pedestrians as they will now have to cover a long distance.

For instance, the motorists heading towards Kachi Chawni from the Shalimar road will take the route behind the Civil Secretariat and cover an extra distance of almost 2km to reach their destination.

Furthermore, the diversion will also add to traffic chaos as the authorities have also decided to allow only one-way traffic on the busy stretch between Parade and Ranbireshwar Temple rotary. No vehicle will be allowed to move towards Parade from Ranbireshwar Temple rotary from 8 am to 8 pm in the wake of heavy traffic movement on the stretch.

“Yet again, we will have to face hardships in view of diversions across the city after the reopening of the Civil Secretariat and other offices here. After the closure of the Dogra Hall-Ranbireshwar Temple rotary road, we will be left with no option but to bear with the situation as the restriction will be made due to security reasons,” Arvind Kumar, a resident of Dogra Hall, who daily takes this route to reach his shop in the Kanak Mandi area, said.

Sakshi Mahajan, a student who takes coaching of competitive exams in a tutorial near Dogra Hall, said, “There will be traffic chaos for next six months. I have to drive my scooty almost four to five kilometers extra to attend my classes regularly following the closure of the road. It has now become a regular feature and the authorities must find an alternate solution to the problem.”

As reported earlier, the reopening of the Civil Secretariat and other offices will put additional burden of 25,000 vehicles, including that of VIPs, ministers and bureaucrats, on city roads. Commuters may face a harrowing time as the Traffic Police Department has been grappling with the shortage of manpower, although it had been arranging strength from its resources to regulate the chaotic traffic.

Official sources claim that one traffic cop controls around 1,700 vehicles on Jammu roads with the department battling with staff crunch.

Jammu, October 31
The Ministry of HRD, Department of School Education and Literacy (S&EL), in its recently issued letter to the Deputy Commissioner of all regional offices of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) and principals of all Jawarhar Navodaya Vidyalayas has mentioned that no physical punishment or mental harassment of any kind or discrimination based on gender, caste, region, disability etc should be permitted in vidyalayas.

“Students should be informed that they have a right to speak against corporal punishment and bringing it to the notice of authorities concerned,” the letter said. Sources said the letter had been circulated in all the 14 JNVs established in the state.

“For this, names, telephone number and e-mail address of officers of the regional offices and NVS (headquarters) should be prominently displayed on the notice board of the vidyalayas. Children must be given confidence to make complaint against any form of corporal punishment and not to accept punishment as a normal activity of the school,” the letter said.

The ministry has suggested that a box should be provided, where children can drop the complaint, even if anonymous, in the school. The keys of the box should remain in the custody of the principal. This box should be opened at least once in a week in the presence of the members of the Vidyalaya Disciplinary Committee, as already constituted in each vidyalaya, to review the complaints and take action.

“Any instance of corporal punishment, mental harassment or discrimination should be dealt with seriously in a time-bound manner. The complaint/grievance of students and parents should be considered on priority and it has to be ensured that no student or parent is harassed for making any compliant.

All cases of corporal punishment of any kind by any staff member of the vidaylayas should be immediately reported to the regional office/NVS (headquarters), indicating the details of the incident,” the letter claimed.

The guidelines added that all employees working in the vidyalayas should give an undertaking to the principal concerned that they would not take any action that would be construed as amounting to physical punishment, mental harassment or discrimination against any child.

Jammu, October 31
A seven-year-old boy killed in a road accident and 28 others were injured when a SRTC bus in which they were traveling in skidded off the road and rolled down into the Pedu Nullah near Kathua this morning.

Reports said the ill-fated SRTC Bus (JK02Y-0597) was on its way from Delhi to Billawar. When it reached near the Pedu Nullah at 9 am, under the jurisdiction of Basohli, the driver lost his control over the vehicle due to which it rolled down into a the nullah resulting in on the spot death of Rahul Kumar (7), son of Surinder Kumar of Ambo Ghat, Basohli.

Out of the 28 injured, 18 were discharged from the Primary Health Centre, Manpu and 10 others were referred to the Kathua District Hospital, where the doctors referred the driver, Dharminder Singh of Chatha, Jammu, to the Government Medical College, Jammu.

The body of the minor has been handed over to the family for last rites without the post-mortem on the request of the family.

Jammu, October 31
A section of the workforce engaged in Leighton Welspun’s Chenani-Nashri Tunnel Project has gone on strike in support of their demand to reinstate their former colleagues who were terminated from their services earlier this year by the organisation.

As many as nine employees were dismissed by Leighton Welspun after being found guilty of inciting violence at the project site and causing damage to company property.

The company officials, meanwhile, said the matter was taken up in accordance with law and the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment gave a clear order on September 13 that the decision of the management to terminate the services of the said employees was justified.

Subsequent to this, the Tehsildar and the Divisional Commissioner have also confirmed that the Ministry’s order stands. However, the case is in the Sessions Court at present and is awaiting the final disposition.

The officials alleged that the current situation involving the disruption of work at the project site has been instigated by “third parties”.

“These outside parties are now trying to influence the company’s workmen and have encouraged them to go on illegal strike,” an official said.

Meanwhile, Managing Director Leighton Welspun Contractors Pvt Ltd Jim Salmon said that they are not against any worker and instead the company takes utmost care of their employees.

“Leighton is an international company and has implemented the highest level of work standards and ethics in India. We take utmost care of our employees and have provided the best facilities to them. We can confidently say that we pay the highest wages to our workers as compared to others in the region,” Managing Director Leighton Welspun Contractors Pvt Ltd Jim Salmon said in a statement here.

“This year, as a gesture of goodwill, we have given a very rewarding Diwali bonus, which is nearly double that other companies are paying,” he added.

The Chenani-Nashri Tunnel project involves the construction of a nine kilometre-long two-lane main tunnel in the lower Himalayan mountain range, which will connect Chenani with Nashri near Udhampur district.

The tunnel is located at an elevation of 1,200 metres and is being constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM).

Once ready the tunnel will act as an all-weather alternative to the existing National Highway 1A section, which passes through steep mountainous terrain and is closed for 40 days each year due to adverse weather conditions.

Jammu, October 31
The National Sikh Front (NSF) today staged a demonstration to garner public support for severe punishment to former members of Parliament Sajjan Kumar, Jagdish Tytler, Kamal Nath and other Congress leaders for their alleged involvement in 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Led by chairman Varinderjeet Singh, president S Bhatti and senior vice president Gurdyal Singh Bali scores of Sikh activists assembled opposite Gurdwara Ashram, Digiana, and raised slogans against the Congress party and demanded severe punishment for the accused leaders.

“It is sad and tragic that the Central Government has played a direct or indirect role in shielding those who were responsible for anti-Sikh riots. We feel the society as a whole has failed to provide justice to those who were subjected to most inhuman treatment,” Varinderjeet Singh said.

The Sikh body also alleged that it appears that the judicial system was controlled by the ruling Congress government. — TNS

Jammu, October 31
The Jammu University Non-teaching Employees’ Association (JUNTEA) has condemned the alleged circulation of anonymous letters levelling serious charges against some senior faculty members of the university and has termed it a malicious campaign to “defame” the University of Jammu.

“Some anti-university elements were trying to defame the reputation of the University of Jammu by circulating such anonymous letters,” the association said during a meeting held here today under its chairman Sunil Sahi. “If anyone having any evidence against any employee, he or she must come forward and the association then will request the authorities to take strict action against such employee or employees,” Sahi said. He added the association will never tolerate such incidents that will “defame the reputation” of the university. — TNS

Jammu, October 31
Chandigarh XI today trounced Guwahati XI by 68 runs to enter into the semifinals of the ongoing Eid-Diwali Milan Cup T20 Cricket Tournament.

Batting first, Chandigarh XI rode on healthy contributions from Sandeep (42) and Ravi (40) to put a decent 149 on the board, this despite a five wicket haul by Manish.

Guwahati XI, in reply, managed just 81 runs to hand a massive 68 run victory to their opponents.

The team lost wickets at regular intervals and could not gain the necessary momentum to overhaul the target. The only notable contribution came through Chandan Dass, who scored 37 runs.

For Chandigarh XI, Anil and Lakshman grabbed two wickets each.

Sandeep was adjudged man of the match.

In another match of the day, Challenger Jammu overcame Mumbai by 55 runs.

The Challengers set a decent 160-run target on board after electing to bat first. Sahil Bhalwal (44), Sandeep (35) and Paras Sharma (24) were the main contributors with the bat.

For Mumbai, Akash took three wickets, while Rahul accounted for a couple of Challengers batsmen.

However, the Mumbai innings was in complete disarray as they were bundled out for 105 runs in 19 overs.

Vijay (23) and Rinku (24) tried to pull out their team from the mire, but it proved to be too little too late.

Sahil Bhalwal was the pick of the bowlers for Challengers dismissing three of the Mumbai batsmen, while Parveen Singh and Paras Sharma bagged two wickets each.

Sahil Bhalwal was declared man of the match.

The tournament is being organised jointly by the Jammu Kashmir Police, Simula Group of Companies and Atman Educational Society.

Meanwhile, Delhi piped Punjab by 8 wickets in a lop-sided affair, later in the day.

Batting first, Punjab scored 103 runs, which the Delhi batsmen made with consummate ease. The side lost just a couple of wickets in their run to victory.

The matches were officiated by Saleem-ur-Rehman, JD Singh, Sandeep Manchanda and Sanjay Bhatti, while Yogesh was the scorer.

Jammu, October 31
Stadium XI today beat Sidhant Academy in close contest to win the Col RN Chopra U-16 Boys Challenge Cup T20 Cricket Tournament.

Batting first, Sidhant Academy rode on Ramandeep’s blitzkrieg to accumulate 188 runs from their stipulated quota of 30 overs at the loss nine wickets.

The batsman scored a quick fire 51 off just 17 balls, studded with three hits fours and five sixes, to take the total past 150 runs. Pavit Singh Ishar (32) and Akshay (22) also contributed to their team’s cause.

The total, however, did not prove enough, as the Stadium XI batsmen completed the formalities in 27.5 overs with two wickets in hand.

Jagandeep scored an impressive 45 off 35 balls with five boundaries and two sixes, while Kanhaya contributed valuable 35 runs.

Earlier, Yogesh Sikka was the main contributor with the ball for Stadium XI, as he accounted for four Sidhant Academy. Ashish took three wickets.

Sikka was adjudged man of the match, while Jagandeep received the man of the series and the best batsman award.

Avneet of Sidhant Academy was named the best bowler of the tournament, while the best all-rounder and the best fielder trophy went to Pavit Singh and Ramandeep Singh of Sidhant Academy respectively.

Jammu, October 31
Hundreds of paramedical students again boycotted their examinations at various centres and blocked the PCR road, alleging that the question paper was out of syllabus. The police lathicharged the protesting students.

The road bockage caused disruption of vehicular movement. During the lathicharge, some students got injured and the police arrested two students, Manzoor Ali and Gurvardan, in order to control the situation.

The college administration asked the protesting students to submit their charter of demands and they will take immediate and necessary action over the issue.

Jammu, October 31
Army Public School (APS), Akhnoor, has entered into the semifinals of the ongoing CBSE Volleyball cluster, being played at the Kasauli International Public School.

The spikers from APS, Akhnoor, got the better of their counterparts from DAV Saraswati 14-25, 18-25 to reach the semis. A total 40 teams, from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Chandigarh are participating in the tournament.

This is for the second time that APS Akhnoor has excelled in the CBSE Volleyball cluster. Earlier, in the league matches, APS, Akhnoor, defeated Banyan International School, Jammu and Gurukul Public School, Chandigarh.

Chairman of the school, Brigadier SK Dey complimented the team on the occasion and wished them luck for the semifinals.

Jammu, October 31
The PG Department and Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, have entered into the finals of the ongoing Inter-Collegiate Volleyball (Women) Tournament, being organised by the Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jammu. at varsity Sports Stadium.

While the PG Department overwhelmed Government Degree College, Hiranagar, 25-17, 25-19, 20-25, 25-23 in the semis, Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, piped SPMR College of Commerce 25-12, 25-7, 25-16.

The final will be played tomorrow at the University Sports Stadium here.

Both the semifinals were conducted under the supervision of Director, Directorate of Sports and Physical Education, Prof Dhian S Bhau. The matches were officiated by Mulkh Raj, Ajay Sharma, Amit Sharma and Jeevan. — TNS