Jammu, April 26
The Central Library of Jammu University, housing over five lakh books and 300 journals, has been a good learning ground for most students. The library is equipped with infrastructure to support the needs of all 39 departments of the university, besides providing special facilities to the visually challenged students.

The Central Library of Jammu University. Tribune photo: Inderjeet Singh

The computers on the ground floor of the library are installed with a special software that enables the visually challenged students to access any book or academic material without any hassle.

The students can vocally locate the subject matter online. The chapter or book is then read out to them online. While they have their own books in the Braille language, this software helps them revise quickly before examinations.

The library has recently sent a proposal to the state government to allocate grants for the installation of a lift on the library premises to enable the physically challenged students to access the upper floors.

The fourth floor of the library is currently being used as an examination hall.

The library boasts of a database of news pertaining to the J&K region spanning over eight years. This facility is available free of cost to all students and academics. For outsiders, the data can be accessed by filling in a form.

The library has been receiving funds from the UGC, which are being utilised by the state government on upgrading the stock of books every year.

Last year, members of the Central Library Committee had gone to the International Book Fair in New Delhi for the purchase of latest books.

“It is our endeavour to keep our students up-to-date with latest books in the market. Most books are procured by the book selection committee on the basis of their demand,” said Mohd Shoaib, in charge, Central Library.

Enabling effort

Has special software for the blind

Seeks lift for disabled

Jammu, April 26
On penultimate day of Darbar move (shifting of capital to Srinagar for next six months), the Civil Secretariat’s seat of governance today remained abuzz with activity with people thronging the complex for disposal of all pending cases.

The office chamber of the ministers and babus witnessed a heavy rush with visiting people seeking an appointment to get resolved their issues. Secretariat employees, however, were busy maintaining packaging the official records for further transportation to the summer capital.

“It was expected that a large number of people would visit the Civil Secretariat for disposal of their cases as they were aware that they would have to wait for the next six months once the government shifts its base to Srinagar,” said an employee of the School Education Department at the Civil Secretariat.

He said the packaging of official documents and files was a “painstaking job” as it needs a lot of alertness because a small mistake may lead to misplacing of the documents. “We have started the packaging process in advance so that all documents are properly maintained and placed to avoid any kind of trouble in the summer capital,” the employee maintained.

The Civil Secretariat and other move offices will be closed in Jammu (winter capital) tomorrow and reopen in Srinagar on May 7. T

he practise of Darbar move or shifting of the government's base in Jammu and Kashmir is nearly 140-year-old. Every year, the Civil Secretariat with around 7,000 employees moves to Srinagar in summers and to Jammu in winters.

A senior citizen, Ram Lal, 62, who visited the Civil Secretariat, was enthusiastic as he managed to get his issues settled on the eve of the Darbar move.

“I was not expecting for such good response on the second last day of the closing of the Civil Secretariat in Jammu. Had I missed this opportunity, I would have to wait for next six months as it is not possible for everyone to travel to Kashmir,” he said.

Similarly, Rakesh Jain, 47, who was accompanying Ram Lal, was however, disappointed as he couldn’t get his file cleared. “Either the officials were busy closing and packaging the official records or they have already left for Kashmir in advance. I have only two options left, either to wait for next six months till the Civil Secretariat moves back to Jammu or travel to Srinagar for getting my file cleared,” he said.

A security official said the loading of official records in the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) vehicles would be started tomorrow evening. “It will take at least two-three days for loading and dispatching the entire official documents towards the Kashmir Valley.”

Official sources said security had been intensified at the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway keeping in view of movement of the SRTC vehicles carrying official records.

Jammu, April 26
The State and Shamlat Deh Land Protection Committee, Sair (Kalakote), Rajouri, today claimed that some influential persons had encroached on their land forcibly through money, muscle and political power.

Members of the committee alleged that over 60 kanals of land, including the graveyard falling under khasra number 39 of Chainpur village and khasra number 625 of Sair village, was fenced by land grabbers and about 2,000 trees felled.

They further claimed that the tehsildar of Kalakote did not take any action when they complained to him.

The members said a complaint was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, who marked it to the SDM, Nowshera, whereas the ACR (R) directed the tehsildar to remove the encroachment, but nothing significant was done. They further said after no action was taken, they decided to sit on dharna outside the tehsil office, Kalakote. The members said the SDM asked the tehsildar to remove the encroachment who further directed the Naib Tehsildar and the SHO, Kalakote, along with Girdawar circle and patwari halqa to look into the matter, and when no action was taken, the patwari halqa was suspended.

The members added that the tehsildar then again directed the naib tehsildar to remove the encroachment but he evicted the land grabbers from 8 kanals and 15 marlas from Khasra number 39. They further claimed that the land grabbers attacked them when they were sitting on a dharna wherein six persons were injured. They said though an FIR was also registered, none of the accused had been arrested. Instead, the land grabbers had registered a counter FIR against them in the office of the SHO. The members demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting HC judge or retired SC judge and immediate withdrawal of alleged false case against them. 

Jammu, April 26
Various organisations paid tributes to former ruler of the state Maharaja Hari Singh on his 51st death anniversary here today.

People from different walks of life assembled at the newly installed statue of Hari Singh this morning to pay floral tributes. Speaking on the occasion, PDP leader Vikram singh said Hari Singh was a true patriot with secular vision who brought many social reforms.

PDP leader Sachin Sharma highlighted the social reforms introduced by Maharaja, including prohibition of child marriage, prohibition of smoking among children, polygamy, opening of doors of temples for the Scheduled Castes.

BJP leader and MLA Ashok Khajuria said Maharaja had a secular character and during his regime people belonging to all sects got equal opportunities of growth and development. He said Maharaja focused on the development of rural and underprivileged people.

The National Panther Party also expressed its gratitude to the former ruler and declared that it would organise a rally on May 6 to pay him homage. 

Jammu, April 26
The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages released Arsh Sehbai’s latest poetry collection “Jawaz” at KL Saigal Hall here yesterday.

The function was presided over by Prof Qudoos Javaid. As part of the function, Dr Shahnawaz Khatana, assistant editor, Gojri, read a paper on the life and works of Sehbai.

In his presidential remarks, Prof Javaid congratulated Sehbai on having come out with yet another poetry collection.

Complimenting the academy for holding the release function, Prof Javaid said it was because of the efforts of institutions like the academy that writers of the state were seeing their work being published.

In her concluding remarks, Savita Bakshi, additional secretary of the academy, praised Sehbai for having contributed significantly to the field of Urdu literature.

A ghazal treat was also organised in which singer Darmesh Nargotra sang select ghazals of Sehbai much to the delight of the audience.

Earlier welcoming the guests, Shamima Akther, additional secretary of the academy, said Sehbai’s writings were impressive and needed to be read and appreciated. Salim Salik, Editor, Urdu, conducted the proceedings of the function. — TNS

Jammu, April 26
The police today arrested six bovine smugglers and rescued 37 animals from the Raipur Domana area.

“A police team led by Ajay Singh, SHO, Domana, laid a naka on the Raipur-Nagrota route last night and signalled three trucks to stop, but the drivers did not stop,” an official spokesperson said.

The police chased the trucks and apprehended the drivers. A trader who was travelling in a Scorpio and acting as a guide was also nabbed on the spot.

“Six smugglers were arrested three trucks and a Scorpio was seized. A total of 37 cattle, including 28 buffaloes and nine oxen were rescued,” the spokesperson said. 

Jammu, April 26
The Kathua police today busted an interstate gang of chain snatchers by arresting two persons who were involved in several cases of looting and snatching.

The arrested persons were identified as Gagandeep Singh, alias Goldy, and Kamal Preet Singh, both the residents of Kaitha Dasua in Punjab. Their third accomplice, identified as Sandeep, alias Laddi of Hoshiarpur, managed to escape.

Sources said three motorbike-borne youth made an attempt to snatch a gold chain from a girl at the Chadwal area on the Jammu-Pathankote National Highway.

“They, however, couldn’t manage to snatch the chain from the girl as she raised an alarm. Just a few kilometres away from the spot, they snatched a purse from a woman at Pali Morh and fled from the spot. They again targeted a woman at Lacchipur road and snatched a gold chain from her,” sources added.

However, the police sounded an alarm and alerted next check posts and nakas on the highway and other parts of the city.

A team of the police led by Chanchal Singh, SHO, Lakhanpur, chased the miscreants and arrested two of them, while the third managed to escape.

The sources said the same gang was involved in a chain-snatching incident that took place at Saswan morh on the highway a few days ago. 

Jammu, April 26
Additional Sessions Judge of Udhampur MK Sharma has awarded a 10-year rigorous imprisonment to Mohd Shafi, alias Gudda, in a case of abduction and rape of a minor. Two others - Feroz Din and Gashan - were sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment in the case. A fine of Rs 5,000 was also imposed on the convicts.

On October 6, 2005, the accused entered Saraj Din’s house at Rasain village in Ramnagar tehsil and kidnapped his minor daughter. They kept her under wrongful confinement at Mohd Shafi’s house in Birnoo village of the same tehsil. The victim was raped in captivity by Mohd Shafi.

On October 8, 2005, Siraj Din filed a complaint in this regard at the Ramnagar police station and a case under Sections 343, 363, 387 and 380, RPC, was registered.

The victim was later found by the police. She accused Mohd Shafi of committing rape and underwent a medical examination.

During investigation, the allegation of extortion could not be proved against the accused and charges under Section 380 were subsequently dropped.

The police later presented a charge sheet against the accused.

Jammu, April 26
The selection trials in basketball began at the Basketball Court, Police Sports Complex on the Gulshan Ground here today.

The trials are being conducted by the J&K Basketball Association to select boys’ and girls’ teams for the forthcoming 38th Sub-Junior National Basketball Championship slated to be held at Agnel Charities, Verna, Goa, from May 6 to 12.

Players from all affiliated units, districts, clubs, institutes and schools of the association attended the trials.

The coaching camps for both sub-junior boys and girls will be held at the same venue till the departure of the team under the supervision of basketball coaches Rohit Chibber and Surinder Singh.

Jammu, April 26
The sports meet of teachers and officers of the University of Jammu organised by the PTI campus commenced at the gymnasium hall of the university here today.

Dr Sanjay Sharma of environment sciences advanced into the next round in both table tennis and carom on the inaugural day. In carom, Dr Sharma got the better of Ramesh Magotra of the department of physical education 1-0 whereas in table tennis, he got a walkover after Deputy Registrar Vivek Slathia failed to report. In all, 36 entries have been received in the disciplines of table tennis, carom and badminton. The competition is being held under the supervision of the in charge of the PTI campus, Romesh Sharma.

Detailed Results:

Table Tennis: Prof PVK S Baba of Physics and Electronics toppled Dr Arun Bharti of Physics and Electronics 2-0 (11-01, 11-02) and Dr Sanjay Sharma of environment sciences got a walkover Vivek Slathia.

Carom: Sanjeev Jamwal of physical education thrashed Prof Yash Pal Sharma of botany 1-0, Dr Sanjay Sharma of environment sciences dispatched Ramesh Magotra of physical education 2-0, Dr Arun Bharti of physics and electronics got a walkover Dr Sonam Angchok of physical education.

Jammu, April 26
A month-long coaching camp in the disciplines of hockey, volleyball and boxing, organised by the district administration under the guidance of the DDC, Poonch, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, concluded here today.

Boxing bouts were also played on the final day of the camp. In bantom weight, Ankit Sharma trounced Saleem Khan while in fly weight, Nitin Plasar toppled Tushar Khajuria. In middle weight, Nizam-ud-Din defeated Gulshan.

The DDC, Poonch, was the chief guest while MLA, Haveli, Aijaz Jan, was the guest of honour. In his address, Sahu appreciated the efforts of NIS Boxing Coach Mustaq Ahmed.

Later, the chief, along with Aijaz Jan, distributed prizes among the winners and runners-up.

Jammu, April 26
Women pugilists of the J&K Police performed exceedingly well by winning six medals, including two silver and four bronze, in the recently concluded 60th All- India Police Games held at Indira Gandhi International Stadium, New Delhi. Khalida Bano fetched silver medal in light heavy weight (81kg) category followed by Asha Jamwal in heavy weight (above 81kg). Priyanka Devi clinched bronze medal in the fly weight (51kg) category.

Other bronze medallists include Khushi (light weight, 60kg), Stanzin (light welter weight, 64kg) and Shabnam Zora (middle weight, 75kg).

In the previous edition of the championship hosted by the state, the pugilists managed to bag eight medals. The other disciplines in which the J&K team participated include wrestling, weightlifting and judo. Inspectors Satyakam Sharma and Jameel Ahmad accompanied the 65-member contingent in the sporting event. — TNS