Jammu, April 23
The Jammu and Kashmir Police seems to be in an introspection mode. “Set your own house in order before finding fault in others,” is the terse directive of senior police officers to all traffic and other police officials vis-a-vis their behaviour on the road.

Official sources said the policemen had been directed to wear helmet and avoid using mobile phones while riding two-wheelers to set an example for other road users.

The directive follows rising number of fatal road accidents in the recent past.

“Strict instructions have been issued to all policemen to wear protective headgear (helmet) while riding two-wheelers. Policemen who man busy roads and intersections to penalise violators have been asked not to spare their colleagues if they are found violating the traffic safety norms,” sources added.

Sources said the directive has come after the traffic police “failed” to enforce the helmet rule.

“Policemen have been spotted flouting the law. It has also come to notice that policemen generally do not wear helmet and use mobile phone while riding two-wheelers,” sources further said.

Talking to The Tribune, Dilbagh Singh, IGP, Jammu region, confirmed that they had decided to initiate strict action against policemen violating the traffic norms.

“Policemen are law enforcers and must set an example. They are more duty-bound to observe traffic rules than the public. They should be a role model for other motorists,” he said, adding that he would issue a circular directing all district superintendents of police to conduct special drives on a regular basis to check violations by policemen.

“Nobody is above the law and everyone has to fall in line,” the IGP remarked.

Expressing concern over the rising number of fatal road mishaps across the region, Singh laid stress on some “harsh measures” against habitual offenders.

“Until habitual offenders are dealt with sternly, innocent people will continue to lose their lives on the roads,” he stated.

He took strong exception to the use of mobile phones by policemen while riding two-wheelers.

“We have also decided to book policemen for using mobile phones while riding two-wheelers. Policemen found without wearing a seat belt in PCR vans or private vehicles will also be penalised,” the IGP said.

He said the drive would continue till there was a visible difference in the total compliance of road safety norms by the police.

Over 5,000 people have lost their lives and scores others have been left injured in road mishaps during the past five years. In most cases, the motorists either didn’t comply with the road safety norms or didn’t have a valid driver’s licence.

Jammu, April 23
In a major boost to the “Save Tawi” campaign of Jammu Tribune, the Department of Forest has directed the Chairman of the State Pollution Control Board to take necessary action on the issue of putting up caution boards on all bridges over the river to bring down pollution levels in the river.

The department passed the directions while reacting to a complaint lodged with the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell, wherein the complainant, Raman Sharma, a Jammu-based RTI activist and “Save Tawi” volunteer, had brought the issue to the notice of the higher authorities.

The complainant had urged the authorities concerned to pass directions to the pollution control board to put up caution boards on all bridges over the river with a message warning people against throwing garbage and polythene bags into the river from the bridge.

The department has directed the board chairman to take necessary action and file a reply within two days.

Raman Sharma said it was a welcome step and would lead to a big change toward the preservation of the river.

“We are not expecting an overnight outcome but things will start changing gradually. Consistency in efforts is crucial for desired results,” he added.

Vilakshan Singh, an RTI activist, said the putting up hoardings would pave the way for a cleaner Tawi in the times to come.

“Such efforts can bear fruit if the authorities concerned are pursued to take necessary action,” he said.

Jammu, April 23
In a major breakthrough for the Department of Youth Services and Sports, the educational institutions (both government and private) that had failed to deposit 50 per cent of the school games fund in the district pool have now agreed to deposit the same soon. This follows stern stance taken by the department against the defaulting educational institutions.

Tirath Ram, District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Jammu, said the department, after receiving a positive response, would allow the students of these educational institutions to compete in inter-school tournaments.

“We will permit such students to compete in state tournaments,” he said. “But it does not mean these students will be eligible to participate in inter-school or other domestic tournaments if their institutions fail to deposit the games fund,” he added.

“The zonal physical education officers were asked to visit educational institutions, especially private ones, and shown the copies of the government order to the school management,” he said.

On the collection of the fund from the erring government schools, Tirath Ram said: “Although there is some delay in the deposit of the games fund by governments schools, they will deposit their due share.”

During a recent meeting with zonal physical education officers of all 14 zones, Tirath Ram had expressed concern over the slow pace in the deposit of the fund and emphasised the need to collect the same at the earliest.

He had also made it clear that the students of erring institutions would not be allowed to compete in any discipline of state-level tournaments and asked the officers to personally visit educational institutions to make them aware of their obligation to deposit the games fund.

He had also asked the zonal physical education officers to submit a list of institutions that they had visited.

Educational institutions of every district have to deposit 50 per cent of school games fund in the district pool of their respective district youth services offices. The fund is utilised on the purchase of sports material and uniforms for students competing in district and inter-district competitions.

Of the 2,511 institutions in Jammu district, including 1,528 government and 983 private, only 222 have deposited the school games fund so far. As per data available, of these 222 institutions, 150 are government, while 72 are private.

Jammu, April 23
On the occasion of World Book Day, the Department of Libraries and Research organised a day-long exhibition of rare and historic books at Sri Ranbir Singh Library today to generate interest of the Jammuites in reading.

Although the response was not significant but those who visited the spot admired the collection and stressed for the preservation of rare literature.

Over 165 books were exhibited, of which 54 books were in Hindi and Sanskrit, 50 were in Urdu and 64 were reference books.

The rare collection included manuscripts of Budhism in Tibetan language, ‘King and Queen in India’, which was a record of the visit of imperial rulers in the country from December 1911 to January 1912.

Other historic books included ‘History of the World’, which was written by Samuel Suckford in 1810, ‘Kalhan’s Tajtarangini’ (1892), ‘Micrographic Dictionary’ (1860), which was a guide to examination and investigation of microscopic structures and their nature.

Indian Medicinal Plants (1918) by BD Basu was a suitable and authentic documentation of rare medicinal plants of India. Medicinal qualities of hundreds of plants were discussed in the book along with their pictures.

Urdu and Persian collection included Aine Akbari (1274), Shahnama Firdousi (1874), Gulabnama (first biography of first Dogra ruler, Gulab Singh) and religious books of various sects.

Director, Libraries, Arun Kumar Sharma said, “Society has been losing interest in reading due to access to Internet and other electronic media. Moreover, people are losing interest in reading books in libraries. The present exhibition is part of our efforts to revive library culture and inculcate reading habits among youth.”

Jammu, April 23
The Students Parents Association for Child Education (SPACE) today alleged that private schools have illegally hiked the fee without consulting the association in violation of SRO-123 and the J&K School Education Act-2002.

The association has further alleged that sub-standard uniforms are being sold by the schools through their sales counters in and outside the school premises. It said these counters were being operated illegally and in violation of provisions of the Shop and Establishments Act-1966.

Addressing a meeting of members, secretary-general of association, RD Sharma alleged that the shops approved by the schools were not only selling uniforms illegally but also at exorbitant rates. He has also complained about the sale of NCERT books with compulsory binding.

The SPACE members also alleged that the committee formed by Minister of Consumer Affairs Qamar Ali Akhoon to look into the fee structure is a mere eyewash, as private schools continue to defy the rules. "The members are of the opinion that the committee headed by the Director, School Education, is to facilitate the private schools to run the illegal trade of selling books and uniform at exorbitant rates", he alleged.

The association also demanded the implementation of the Right to Education Act-2009 in Jammu & Kashmir with Model Education Rules which other states have already implemented. The members also alleged that the grants under the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) would not be available to J&K due to the non-applicability of the RTE Act because the SSA is extended for the next five-year plan only under the RTE Act.

Jammu, April 23
The Kashmiri Pandits (KPs) have expressed resentment over the act of some members of their community who met separatist leaders in Kashmir recently. They alleged that the group has brought disrepute to the glorious history of Kashmiri Hindus.

While addressing mediapersons, ML Koul, a Kashmiri Pandit activist, said, “The self-proclaimed representatives of the internally displaced Hindu community met separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, but did not disclose what happened in the meeting there”.

“The separatists are responsible for the exodus of the community and meeting them for a solution is like putting their foot down in front of them,” he added.

Jammu, April 23
Jammu Janbaz team produced a flawless performance to topple Poonch Thunderbolts by 9 wickets and secured a berth in the final of the ongoing Jammu Premier League T20 Tawi Cup, being organised by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services and Sports under Operation Sadhbhavana at MA Stadium here today.

Poonch Thunderbolts won the toss and opted to bat first. The opening pair of Waseem Raja and Parvez Malik stitched 81-run partnership in just 11 overs to lay a solid platform. Elegant left-hander Waseem Raja top scored with 47 runs studded with six delectable hits to the fence while Parvez Malik chipped in with quick-fire 45 runs off just 31 balls. He struck 3 fours and as many sixes. However, Poonch Thunderbolts suffered a setback after quick dismissals of both openers as none of the batsmen could play sensibly to keep the momentum going. Finally, the team managed to score only 132 runs in the stipulated 20 overs for the loss of 9 wickets.

Left-arm spinner Sanjay Sharma was the wrecker-in-chief for Jammu Janbaz, who scalped four important wickets in his quota of 4 overs by conceding 21 runs. Skipper Kavaljeet Singh and speedster Mayank Gautam captured 2 wickets each while wrist spinner Deepak Singh Manhas clinched 1 wicket.

Jammu Janbaz, in reply rode on an excellent unbeaten knock of 83 runs by stylish left-handed opening batsman Manish Dogra to overhaul the target with utmost ease in18 overs losing the wicket of in-form Ashu. Manish smashed 12 boundaries and one six in his 54-ball knock. Kavaljeet Singh also contributed valuable 34 unbeaten runs. For Poonch Thunderbolts, Deepak Sharma was the only successful bowler, who took the wicket of Ashu. Manish Dogra of Jammu Janbaz was adjudged man of the match which was officiated by Saleem-ur-Rehman and Rajan Singh as umpires. Rajesh Dhar acted as match referee while Pankaj Sasan and Kadirivian were the scorers.

Earlier, Director Youth Services and Sports, Jaipal Singh interacted with players of both the teams. He was accompanied by Ashok Kumar, Deputy Director, Youth Services and Sports (Central), SS Bali, Deputy Director, Youth Services and Sports, Jammu, Ravi Singh, Manager, MA Stadium and Ashwani Gupta, former Duleep Trophy player and BCCI Match Referee, besides officers of the Army. Tomorrow, Jammu Riders will take on Kathua Knights in the second semi-final at 10 am at the same venue.

Jammu, April 23
Mohammad Aslam Goni, chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, today inaugurated a coaching camp for under-19 boys at GGM Science College hostel ground here today.

After inaugurating the camp, the JKCA chairman also interacted with the players. Over 70 are participating in the camp, which is being held to select the Jammu Province team.

The coaching camp for u-14 and u-16 boys is already under way at the same venue.

Jammu, April 23
Masters Cricket Club (MCC), Kathua, notched up a narrow 16-run win over Kashmir Cricket Club (KCC) in a low-scoring match to move into the next round in the ongoing Baisakhi Premier League T20 Cricket Tournament, being organised by Diamond Cricket Club at Government High School, Simbal Camp, here today.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, MCC accumulated 106 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Biku (19), Sunny (13) and Ashwani (10) were the main scorers. For KCC, Sahil Sharma was the chief destroyer who took 3 wickets conceding 16 runs in his four overs. Satish captured 2 by conceding 25 runs, whereas Kuldip Kumar chipped in with 1 wicket.

In reply, KCC scored just 90 runs in 19.2 overs and lost the match by a narrow margin. Rahul Mussa, Kuldip Kumar and Rishi contributed 26, 19 and 15 runs to the total, respectively. Sanju was the pick of the bowlers for MCC who bagged 3 important wickets, while Sunny, Sonu and Lara clinched 2 wickets apiece. Sanju of MCC was declared the man of the match.