Jammu, June 13
Forty students, including three girls, and five cops were injured in a clash between the police and students of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri today.

The clash took place when the students of Engineering Department continued their hunger strike for the third day today in support of their demands for getting the right to appear in the supplementary examination and starting the re-evaluation system like other universities.

The students accused the university authorities of not providing adequate infrastructure and other facilities to them. “The university authorities had assured us to give grace marks as our examination was out of the syllabus, but they did not fulfil their promise and forced us to go on strike”, said a student, preferring anonymity.

As soon as the protesting students (a majority of them have failed in their exams) came to the department to begin the hunger strike, the police cane-charged them and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse them.

Sources said the students also threw stones at the police, resulting in injuries to five policemen,including DSP(Operations) Farooq Kesar, who sustained a wound on the head. A police officer and a student were referred to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, for treatment, while others were taken to the local hospital in Rajouri.

Vice-Chancellor Masood Chaudhary said:” A B.Tech entrance examination was going on in the department and no one was allowed to go there. But the students were not ready to listen.So, the police took action”.

Later, the protesting students blocked the Abdullah Bridge,situated in the middle of Rajouri, for about two hours.

SHO, Rajouri, Kewal Krishan Gupta said:”We are investigating the matter and a case will be registered against the protesting students”.

Meanwhile, the Jammu Joint Students Federation (JJSF) today condemned the alleged police action against the students in Rajouri.

The members of the JJSF demanded an independent enquiry into the incident by the Chief Minister. They said the authorities concerned should immediately fulfill the demands of the students.

Addressing a press conference here, Partap Singh Jamwal, state vice-president of the JJSF said the students were protesting for the fulfillment of their “genuine” demands like the issue of supplementary exams, re-evaluation and grace marks.He condemned the cane- charge on them by the police.

The JJSF thanked members of the Andolan Samiti, Rajouri, and the Jammu Provincial People Forum (JPPF) for their support to the student community.

Jammu, June 13
While the higher- ups in the police have been trying to shield their officers in the sensational kidnapping-cum-murder case of Shalin Gupta, the Opposition and the ruling National Conference (NC) have alleged that cops did not act professionally to save the life of the boy.

The NC demanded the erring police officers, who took the kidnapping case non-seriously, should also be booked.

Meanwhile, the leader of the Opposition and president of the PDP, Mehbooba Mufti, today demanded a high-level probe into the case. Mehbooba, who reached Jammu this afternoon, termed the incident as gruesome and inhuman.

Taking a serious note of media reports highlighting the alleged non-serious attitude adopted by the police and the authorities in dealing with the situation after the kidnapping of the boy, the PDP chief said it was a serious matter that the police did not act swiftly in the case. She demanded strict action against all those who were involved in committing this heinous crime.

The PDP chief pointed out that crime and corruption had been going hand in glove in the state, especially after the formation of the NC-led coalition regime. “On the one hand, the human rights violations have been going on unabated in the valley, on the other hand, the crime graph has been showing an upward trend in the Jammu region,” she said.

Meanwhile, NC leaders, in a joint statement issued here today, strongly condemned the killing of the boy and expressed their displeasure over the way the police had acted so far in the case. They expressed surprise that the main accused was already on the list of police and as such there was no reason to release him without proper questioning.

BJP spokesman Ramesh Arore also demanded a probe by a special team not only into the incident but also into the way one of the accused was released. The party alleged that at the behest of a Congress leader, the accused was released from police custody.

BJP vice-president, Jammu, Vikram Randhawa demanded that those who initially defended the main culprit should also be subjected to questioning in this episode.

He maintained that this was now the testing time for the police to prove their credentials so that such shocking incidents did not happen again in Jammu.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), in a meeting held here today under the chairmanship of its state president Tulsi Dass Langeh, strongly condemned the incident and asked the authorities to take strict action against the culprits.

Besides, the Bhartiya Vidharthi Sena (BVS) demanded the transfer of senior police officers for their failure to act on time.

Meanwhile, protests continued on the second consecutive day against the killing. Members of the Nirbhow Nirvair Organisation (NNO) under the chairmanship of its president Harjeet Singh held a rally against the killing.

Srinagar, June 13
Restrictions continued to be in place here for the second consecutive day today following the death of a teenager, Toufail Ahmed, allegedly by a bullet fired by the police to quell a stone- throwing mob on Friday.

Demonstrations had taken place in the city and the adjoining areas after the news of the death spread and apprehending trouble, the authorities had clamped an undeclared curfew in various parts of the city.

The situation was calm but tense today, barring a few minor incidents of stone throwing in the Batamaloo area.

“The situation is tense but under control. There were no major incidents of stone throwing today as restrictions were in place at various places across the city”, a senior police officer told The Tribune.

The authorities had not clamped a curfew, but in the downtown locality,residents alleged that announcements were being made from vehicles carrying loudspeakers asking people not to come out as the curfew had been imposed.

There was a heavy deployment of police and CRPF personnel and people were not allowed to come out of houses.

“The restrictions are in place and no one will be allowed to hold any type of protest demonstrations”, said Mehraj Kakroo,Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar.

“The prohibitory orders that were imposed after the clashes yesterday will remain in force today also “, Kakroo said. He said the police had been asked to allow students with roll number slips to appear in their examinations.

A complete shutdown was also observed for the second day today in most parts of the Kashmir valley.Shops and business establishment remained closed and there was no traffic.

Around 37 people, including 15 policemen, were injured in the clashes between the agitated mob and the police yesterday during the funeral procession of the teenager.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was today formally arrested after being detained yesterday and shifted to Central Jail here. The police also obtained his seven-day judicial remand from a court.

Geelani who has been booked under Section 151 and 107 was detained yesterday as the authorities apprehended a breach of the peace as he had called for a special prayer meeting at the Hazratbal shrine.

Jammu, June 13
Facing flak for their failure to make the right moves that could have prevented Shalin Gupta’s kidnapping and murder, a large number of police officers and political leaders today made a beeline to the victim’s house in Nai Basti to offer condolences.

The tempers, however, ran high, with Rani Gupta, mother of the killed boy, being inconsolable.

“Take Rs 10 lakh from me and return my son or give me the custody of the accused who killed my son by brutally stabbing him. I want to decide the punishment,” said Rani, sitting in the street with tears in her eyes.

Minister for Revenue and Relief Raman Bhalla, who is being accused of asking the police to release the accused, Darbinder, denied the allegations of the family, saying he was monitoring the case closely and even asked the cops to act swiftly to save the child.

Bhalla said, “All those involved in this gruesome incident will be arrested and strict action will be taken against them. The police will provide security to witnesses.”

He also directed the police to prepare a list of drug addicts in the area and take action against them. As soon as the minister along with officers reached the aggrieved family’s house, the wailing family members of the deceased, including his father, Naresh Gupta, and mother Rani repeatedly demanded the custody of the accused so that they (the family) could deliver justice on their own.

Shalin’s mother said on June 17, it would have been his 11th birthday. “He was keen on getting a Scooty on his birthday as a gift, but now everything is over,” added Rani.

The boy’s father, Naresh Gupta, said he tried his best to identify the kidnappers when they gave him a call, “It was a six-minute long call. But they seemed to have put some cloth on their faces to change their voices.”

IG, Jammu, Ashok Gupta, DIG, Jammu-Kathua range, Farooq Khan, Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal, Deputy Commissioner MK Dwivedi and SSP, Jammu, Basant Rath assured the family that strict action would be taken against all those found guilty.

Accused Darbinder Singh’s house, which is in the same street as that of the victim’s, wore a deserted look. It appeared to be broken open and partially burnt from inside.

Jammu, June 13
The two alleged kidnappers of Shalin Gupta had passed a number of nakas (police barricades) without being noticed when they were taking the boy on their bike to Belicharana village.

Disclosure by the police that Shalin was killed within 15 minutes of his kidnapping speaks of the failure of the cops at the nakas, where generally two-wheelers are stopped for checking, especially if there are three persons riding the vehicles, in the late evening hours.

Police sources disclosed the kidnappers passed the vegetable market in Nai Basti, reached Satwari Chowk, turned to the Technical Airport road and went towards the Tawi river bank in Balicharana village.

The boy did not raise any alarm on the way as he would not have thought in his wildest dreams that he was being kidnapped. However, it seems unlikely that he would have remained calm after the kidnappers passed the airport. The main accused, Darbinder, is less than 20 years and looks a minor, but the cops at the naka did not seem to have stopped him for checking his licence. A senior police officer, however, said the cops could not sense something was fishy as the boy and the kidnappers seemed friendly and could have behaved accordingly.

Jammu, June 13
Now, walking through crowded places and avoiding potholes will be easier for the visually impaired as the Physics and Electronics Department, University of Jammu, has invented a cost-efficient version of a micro-chip-fitted electronic walking stick.

Though such sticks are available for about Rs 5,000, this would be available between Rs 500 and 800. The new stick will be quite handy for the visually impaired, who mostly could not afford the costly stick. The department, however, is looking for manufacturers.

“We are taking feedback and we’ll modify it if required,” Associate Professor Parveen Lehna said.

The 2001 census shows that of 3,03,670 differently abled people, 2,08,713 are visually challenged.

Five students Yogeshwar, Meenakhsi, Nutan, Sonia and Rupali worked on the project for six months under the supervision of Prof Lehna. The stick has standard length and weight is fitted with the sensors that would warn the person of obstacles on the way.

Three sensors have been fitted to sense moisture that would be helpful for the person to detect stagnant water, especially during rain.

“If the water-sensing sensor fails, it has a substitute,” he said, adding that the second sensor is a mini-radar that sends ultrasound waves before the stick touches an object or water.

Suraj Singh, a visually impaired student who took a trial, said: “The stick seems very handy and cost-effective as well.”

The stick has to be charged, as its battery back-up is seven hours. “We are working on improving the battery back-up by attaching a mechanical generator in the handle of the stick,” Lehna said.

Srinagar, June 13
Stating that Kashmir has remained a seat of knowledge and wisdom and an epicentre of spiritual discourses since centuries, Governor NN Vohra said yesterday that concerted efforts were required to restore its pristine glory.

The Governor was interacting with a deputation of the managing committee of the Ramakrishna Mission, Srinagar, here. He emphasised upon the need for the scholars undertaking in-depth research on various spiritual, intellectual and other aspects of the glorious composite ethos of the state.

He also stressed upon the need for collection, compilation and translation of various classical works into Kashmiri and other languages of the state for the larger benefit of the coming generations. Vohra said major steps were required to promote the academic traditions of Kashmir.

The deputation, led by vice-president of the mission BN Koul, briefed the Governor about the activities of the mission and its plans. They said the mission had revived its dispensary and made its library functional with 6,800 books. It had also planned to set up a dental clinic, a pathological laboratory and an X-ray facility in the mission complex in a phased manner.

The members of the mission apprised the Governor of several classical works that had been translated by the mission members into Kashmiri language.

Srinagar, June 13
Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor Prof Riyaz Punjabi yesterday asserted that it was essential to empower society with the knowledge of medicines. He called for a coordinated effort in conducting research on different herbs for which the state is known the world over.

“Empowerment of society with regards to the knowledge of medicines is must. It can go a long way in making people aware about medicines, their value and effects,” he said while addressing delegates and participants at the inaugural function of Campaign on Reproductive and Child Health, Geriatric and Skin Care and Continuing Medical Education for Unani Medical Practitioners.

The training programme, organised by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, New Delhi, is being held at the University of Kashmir.

Prof Punjabi, who presided over the function, said a coordinated effort was needed to examine and analyse the benefits of different herbs found in the state. “There is a sea change in the perception that traditional medicines are not valid. Today unani and ayurvedic medicines have scientific approval and they suit us more in terms of our geographical and climatic conditions,” he said.

The VC said almost two decades ago there were only Chinese indigenous medicines in world markets. “But afterwards, I found the Indian medicines in these markets, especially in Vienna, Paris, and Switzerland. This indicates the advances in these fields that have been acknowledged internationally,” he said, adding: “The state houses wealth of herbal medicines. These could be explored provided a coordinated research done by the institutions concerned.”

The campaign and training programme were inaugurated by S Jalaja, secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of AYUSH. “We have to concentrate more on preventive medicine. Ayurvedic or Unani healthcare systems are actual ways of living. They will take you back to nature and to the concept of a relationship between body and mind,” she said.

Jammu, June 13
Alert firemen averted a major tragedy near the official residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Residency Road here late last night, when a major fire broke out in a chemical godown.

The last night around 11:50 pm a fire broke out in the godown where a huge quantity of chemicals was stored.

Immediately, seven fire tenders were pressed into service to control the flames raging from the godown, which is barely 100 m away from the CM’s residence.

The firemen had a tough time dousing the flames due to the smoke billowing out from the godown. The fire was brought under control around 2 am.

“The godown was situated on the first floor and the flames were so high that there was a risk to the nearby shops also,” said sources, adding that shutters of some nearby shops were also broken so that the fire could be stopped from spreading around.

However, no one was injured in the incident. Though the exact reason of fire could not be assessed, short circuit is being cited as the reason for this incident.

Udhampur, June 13
Nobody can dispute the decision of Dr Shah Faesal who recently hogged the headlines for becoming the first IAS topper from Jammu and Kashmir, to give up the medical profession to become a bureaucrat, but there may be many others who have stuck to their decision of using their medical education for the larger purpose of serving humanity.

Munish Gupta (25) alias Madhu Priya Das, the name he got after his spiritual initiation at ISKCON four years ago, is one of them. This qualified doctor, who passed out of NKP Salve Medical College, Nagpur, last year preferred to devote his professional qualification to alleviate physical suffering of others.

Locals said it was a gain for a small place like Udhampur he chose to serve. He is looking after basic healthcare needs of inmates of the orphanage- cum-free boarding school being run under the name of Srila Prabhupada International, Gurukul, as well as general public at a small clinic set up on the premises of ISKCON temple by its management here.

These days when young professionals are overwhelmingly consumed by the desire to make lucrative careers, it is not that he could not have done so. He has been academically bright. His father, Dr RD Gupta, has a flourishing medical practice at Pundri in Kaithal district of Haryana. His sister is a qualified dentist. “But I never thought of making a career which if I wanted I could have.

There was no pressure from my family either. I pursued medical education thinking that it could be useful for the service of people”, said the media shy young doctor who was having his meal sitting on the floor when The Tribune team went to interview him.

Does he think some higher medical degree or specialisation in any of its branches could have been more useful? “See, when I say that I want to serve the people it means the poor who cannot even afford the treatment of simple health problems which, if not treated in the initial stages, aggravate and then it becomes all the more difficult for them to afford their treatment. So, I think for this purpose basic medical qualification is sufficient. What matters is that I should be always available to them without expecting anything in return”, he said.

Barely a year into this lifelong noble pursuit, his clinic depends on donors for the medicines. Military Hospital, Udhampur, was a notable contributor.

He is looking for a steady flow of charity to maintain the availability of medicines and other related stuff. That he does not aspire for anything other than serving the poor and the needy is truly a laudable statement in the context of the poor record of J&K in providing medical facilities at the primary level. “Besides, I also want to help groom the orphan kids as some are academically very promising, to become medical professionals so that they contribute to society in a constructive manner”, he said when asked about other activities.

Jammu, June 13
In a move aimed at bringing pleasure in the lives of orphans, the Amateur Theatre Group today staged a play, “Maa, Baap aur Bachey”, at Abhinav Theatre. The play was the outcome of a 30-day workshop with inmates of an orphanage at Ved Mandir, Amphala, here.

The children, who had stepped on stage for the first time, left behind their dark experiences of losing parents in the last two decades of militancy or to a tragic incident.

The play was written and directed by young and upcoming writer-director Rajneesh Kumar Gupta, who was assisted by Lucky Gupta.

The inmates were mostly children, most of whom are the victims of militancy, belonging to the remote areas of Doda district.

Majority of them have lost their parents and guardians and have been living here for the past 10 years.

Living in an unknown area far away from their families and dreaming to earn name and fame in their lives is really a lesson that every citizen of India must learn from these young artists.

The play is based on the theme of exploitation of children by the cruel systems and norms prevailing in society.

These include employers, mafia, dons, drug sellers, friends, relatives and even the parents of the children.

On one side, rich people engage poor and wretched children for the household works in the disguise of which they beat children, offer liquors and other drugs to them, deduct their monthly wages and compel them to be mature at the time of their prime childhood, whereas, on the other side there are also some families where children are treated as machines for earning money.

They are forced by their parents to remain as slaves in the houses of rich people, compelled to clean the utensils and even compelled to polish the shoes of their employers.

These children are even sometimes forced by their parents to indulge themselves in crimes only for the sake of money.

The children who participated in the play were Girja, Dolkar, Priya, Ravinder, Kamir, Suresh, Ashok, Vishav, Neelam, Abhilav, Subhash, Karan, Surjeet, Ranjeet, Sudesh, RaviKant, Surekha and Shiv Raina. Properties and costumes were provided by Happy Gupta and Mohit Chib, respectively.

Music was composed by Sunil Sharma and the hall was managed by Tapeshwar Dutta and Ifra Mushtaq.

Jammu, June 13
They go to Mumbai - the city of dreams - to carve a niche in Bollywood. But after failing to get a break, they hone their acting skills by making excuses to landlord for not paying rent.

That, too, doesn’t help for long and they come on road sighing “this world has no place for creative people”.

This is the message a Hindi Play, “Do Kalakaar”, written by Bhagwati Charan Verma and directed by Balwant Thakur sought to convey, which was staged here today at Natrang Studio.

The play, which was staged in the weekly Sunday Theatre series, revolves around two friends, Churamani and Martand, who both are artists (one poet and another painter).

The poet has a dream of becoming the top Hindi film lyricist and the painter sets a goal for himself to become the most sought after art director.

But destiny lands them in a situation where both are forced to use their creative energies in concocting stories to escape paying rent of a dingy room for the last six months to their landlord.

The two are just reduced to use their creative skills to ensure survival. The play opens at a situation where both, the poet and the painter, have locked themselves in a room which is being visited by the landlord to collect the rent from them.

The landlord forcefully makes his entry despite all-out unsuccessful efforts to hold him back are made by them. When caught, both take shelter of their creative minds and start concocting stories to impress the landlord so he allows them to continue till they are able to realise their unfulfilled dreams. Both sell him the dreams of turning his rented room into a museum that will host the great genius of the world of poetry and painting, once they both attain success in their fields.

The landlord doesn’t get convinced and throws them out of the room to face further rejection and dejection of the society. Both starts believing that the world is not meant for creative people.

Balwinder Singh and Pankush Verma played the character of “Churamani” and “Martand”, respectively. They both were good in portraying the frustration and different dimensions of their characters.

Hemant Bhola as “Bulaki Dass”, Ishfaq Anwar as “Ram Nath” and Rohit Verma as “Parmanand” did equally well. Mohit Sharma executed the lights. Sumeet Sharma did the presentations.