J A M M U   &   K A S H M I R

Army sponsors valley students’ tour  to South India
Srinagar, February 2
Enthused by the maiden experience to move out of the Kashmir valley and moved by the plight of the tsunami-affected people, 20 students from distant areas of north Kashmir returned here yesterday after over three weeks of an Army-sponsored education tour to South India.

4 injured in cylinder blast
Jammu, February 2
Four members of a family received severe burn injuries when a LPG cyclinder exploded in Udhampur district official sources said here today. The cyclinder caught fire at a house in the Ramnagar area in Udhampur district last night and exploded later, they said.

SPO shoots colleague
Jammu, February 2
A Special Police Officer today shot dead his colleague following a tiff in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said here today. The SPO, identified as Abdul Shakoor, had an argument with Constable Mohammad Ishaq at a police post in Rajouri district this morning, they said.

9 teachers suspended in Poonch
Jammu, February 2
Nine teachers from two government schools in Poonch district were yesterday suspended for remaining absent from duty, an official spokesman said here.

Army sponsors valley students’ tour to South India
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 2
Enthused by the maiden experience to move out of the Kashmir valley and moved by the plight of the tsunami-affected people, 20 students from distant areas of north Kashmir returned here yesterday after over three weeks of an Army-sponsored education tour to South India.

The group comprising 10 boys and 10 girls accompanied by five teachers from different schools in Baramula district of north Kashmir, was received by Lt-Gen Nirbhay Sharma, GOC of Srinagar-based 15 Corps of the Army here. The parents of most of the children were also present on the occasion. The children narrated their experiences during the tour and presented a colourful cultural programme.

Giving his impressions about the tour, which began here on January 6, Mr Ishfaq Ahmad Lone, Vice-Principal and Coordinator of Army Goodwill School, Uri, said it was a rare opportunity provided by the Army to the students. He said several students were to travelled outside the landlocked valley for the first time and had the maiden experience of travelling by a train and watching the ocean waters. “This has created confidence among the students who also had the opportunity to meet many VIPs, including the Andhra Pradesh Governor, Mr Sushil Kumar Shinde,” he said. Because of this tour, the students were encouraged to “set an aim for themselves”.

For Mohammad Rafiq, Class VI student from Government School, Lawoosa, Nowgam, it was a painful experience to see the plight of tsunami victims and the devastation brought about by the tragedy. He said they had heard about tsunami, but was it was painful to see the things for oneself. Rafiq and other students described their experiences during their visits to various places in South India.

The children were impressed with the progress being made by children across Banihal and opportunities available to them in an atmosphere of peace and learning. The parents of some of the students also hailed the Army for providing such an opportunity to the children.

They said they had allowed their children to participate in the event as they felt that their children were safe with the Army.

During their visit to South India, the students visited Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, where they had week-long halts at each place. The students visited places of historical, tourist and educational interest at these places.

The Army has been organising a number of such excursions under the project, Sadbhavana, and so far about 3,000 students have benefited from it.

The Army has opened a number of goodwill schools with the aim of providing quality education in the valley. It also proposes to open a multi-faceted tuition centre to prepare the children of the valley to compete with students in other parts of the country.

4 injured in cylinder blast

Jammu, February 2
Four members of a family received severe burn injuries when a LPG cyclinder exploded in Udhampur district official sources said here today. The cyclinder caught fire at a house in the Ramnagar area in Udhampur district last night and exploded later, they said.

The injured were immediately rushed to the hospital and their condition was stated to be critical, they said, adding they have been identified as Mulkh Raj, his wife Rano Devi and their two children - Bansi Lal and Ajeet Kumar. — PTI 

SPO shoots colleague

Jammu, February 2
A Special Police Officer today shot dead his colleague following a tiff in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said here today. The SPO, identified as Abdul Shakoor, had an argument with Constable Mohammad Ishaq at a police post in Rajouri district this morning, they said.

It took an ugly turn when the SPO opened fire with his service rifle on the constable, killing him on the spot, they said.

Shakoor has been arrested and dismissed from service immediately. The police has also ordered a probe into the matter.

The body of the constable was handed over to his family for burial. — PTI

9 teachers suspended in Poonch

Jammu, February 2
Nine teachers from two government schools in Poonch district were yesterday suspended for remaining absent from duty, an official spokesman said here. District Development Commissioner, Poonch, Mohd Ramzan, who paid a surprise visit to two schools in Khenator and Tanda and found these teachers absent from their duty.

He ordered their suspension, the sources said. — PTI