Poonch, December 20
Unabated dumping of excavated sand and other building material on Poonch-Jammu highway has become a major threat to the motorists as it has already caused some road accidents in Poonch district.

Heaps of sand and other building material have also encroached into roads.

Tractor owners and builders are oblivious of or are indifferent to dangers these materials cause on roads. Despite the fact that Ajeet Kumar Sahu, District Development Commissioner, Poonch, has issued directions to contractors not to dump sand and other building construction material on roads, the dumping continues.

Unabated dumping of building material on Jammu-Poonch road has reduced motorable space and rooted out top layer of the road in many areas.

Driver Mohd Shakeel says, “We face many problems due to building material being dumped on the road as it sometimes causes accidents.”

Bikers also face difficulties while driving on the road as it causes skidding of the bike.

The common people feel the district administration has a nexus with the contractors, who dump excavated sand and other material on the road and sell them at higher rates. Unabated dumping of construction material on roads is also degrading the quality of roads in Poonch district.

People say the roads are not meant for such private work or that of contractors at others’ cost. The district administration can levy a fine on people indulging in causing inconvenience to the general public by using road space for such purposes.

Ajeet Kumar Sahu, District Development Commissioner Poonch, said, “I have issued directions to all contractors who excavate sand and other construction material from various rivers of Poonch district for not dumping excavated material on roads. If they do not comply with the orders, their contracts may be cancelled or heavy fine could be imposed.”

Katra, December 20
The Minister of State for Haj, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Ajaz Ahmed Khan, said on Thursday that the government is committed to providing basic amenities including better road connectivity, drinking water supply, medical care and the best of educational set-up in all areas of the state.

Addressing a ‘public darbar’ at Salal Khad area, about 20 km from Reasi here, the minister said a number of road projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) are coming up in different parts of the district for provision of road connectivity to hitherto neglected areas, especially inhospitable areas.

Khan issued instructions to the district administration for early completion of the ongoing PMGSY road project from Nishad More to Indra Morh. Responding to the demand of locals regarding electrification of unelectrified adjoining areas, the minister asked the DDC Reasi to take up the matter with the authorities concerned. — OC

Jammu, December 20
To check impersonation, the J&K State Board of School Education (JKBOSE) is likely to introduce answer sheets with a new style in the upcoming annual examination of classes X and XII (higher secondary) of Jammu division.

According to sources, the modified answer sheets would have photographs of candidates appearing in the examination affixed on them.

Sources added that the answer sheets will also contain important personal details of the candidates in order to ensure more transparency in the examination system.

Sources further said reports had poured in about various cases of impersonation at various examination centres, especially in remote areas across Jammu division in the previously held annual examinations, wherein candidates allegedly indulged in exchanging of answer sheets.

The J&K State Board of School Education authorities, taking note of that, convened a meeting with the board’s officials to find a way out.

After discussing various recommendations, the school education board finally decided to change the entire structure of answer sheets in the upcoming annual examinations.

“Hopefully, if the new answer sheets are introduced in this annual examination, the school education board would have the distinction of becoming the first institution in North India to introduce this system at school level,” said a source in the Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education.

“In fact, there are some universities in North India which have introduced these answer sheets, but this system is yet to be introduced in school education,” he claimed.

“After introducing these answer sheets, chances of impersonation would automatically minimise because the sheets would have photographs of the candidates affixed on them,” a source said.

“Secondly, it would help the school education board to minimise wastage when it comes to stationery, to a great extent. For example, if 50 candidates are appearing in the examination hall, as many sheets would be printed,” he added.

Javed Khatib, joint secretary, secrecy wing of J&K State Board of School Education, told The Tribune, “Yes, the department is planning to introduce new answer sheets in the upcoming annual examination. Right now, the process is in the final phase and we are hopeful it will be completed in time.”

Jammu, December 20
The state’s winter capital today erupted in protest against the gangrape of a 23-year-old paramedical student in New Delhi, with protest rallies, signature campaigns, blockades on city roads and highway, demonstrating resentment among the people, particularly students.

Commuters had a tough time on city roads and Jammu-Pathankot national highway as college students laid blockade to vent their anger against the incident that, they said, had shaken the faith of women across the country. Academic activity in all degree colleges remained affected in the wake of boycott of classes by the students.

Around 700 college of Government Degree College, Kathua and Government College for Women, Kathua, boycotted their classes and marched towards Jammu-Pathankot national highway. They staged a sit-in on the highway for an hour, disrupting traffic movement and demanding capital punishment for the accused.

Chanting slogans against the Delhi Police for its failure to protect women and girls, they demanded hanging of the culprits involved in the crime.

“It is highly shameful that women and girls are still not safe in the country’s capital. It is also regretful that the Chief Minister of Delhi, who herself is a woman, has advised the girls to not move out during night hours. The Central government too has failed to ensure safety of women,” the protesters said.

They also prayed for the recovery of the 23-year-old, who is battling for her life in a Delhi hospital. Later, the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua and senior police officers rushed to the spot and tried to pacify the students. Thousands of vehicles remained stranded on the highway due to a traffic jam.

Likewise, widespread protests rocked Jammu city, where students of various colleges, including Government Colleges for Women, Parade and Gandhi Nagar, SPMR College of Commerce, Government MAM PG College, Government Polytechnic College for Women, and students of Jammu University took out protest rallies and blocked traffic movement at several places, leading to traffic jams. Hundreds of students from Government College for Women, Parade marched towards the Raj Bhawan and raised slogans against the Delhi Police and Central government for their failure to protect women and girls. The students had a scuffle with police personnel after the latter tried to stop them from marching towards Raj Bhawan.

“It looks like women have no right to live in this society dominated by males. We will not tolerate crime against women and the government will have to ensure their fool-proof security by giving exemplary punishment to the culprits.

Students of Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar also boycotted classes and blocked the Bikram Chowk-Satwari stretch of the national highway for half-an-hour. Later, they, along with students from various colleges, assembled on the busy Bikram Chowk and marched towards the main campus of Jammu University. They blocked the university road for an hour. Commuters remained stuck in the traffic jam for several hours. Traffic policemen were forced to divert traffic movement on various routes.

Protests were also reported in Akhnoor and Samba towns, where students of degree colleges skipped their classes and held demonstrations, disrupting movement of vehicles on the highway.

Students and scholars of Jammu University launched a signature campaign outside the main gate of the campus for strict action against the accused. Hundreds of students and visitors on the campus, while participating in the campaign, unanimously demanded capital punishment to the guilty.

Meanwhile, J&K Pradesh Congress Sevadal, district Jammu (urban) chief Vipan Nischal called a meeting of office-bearers and condemned the “brutal and inhuman act of anti-social elements” involved in the heinous crime of rape and attempted murder of a female student in Delhi. The meeting said that the time had come to amend the Indian Penal Code for awarding death sentence for such crimes.

Bhagya Laxmi Charitable Trust also held a demonstration against the incident and demanded a speedy trial in the case. Ashwani Sharma, chairman of the trust, lashed out at the Union Government for failing to ensure safety and security of women, that has resulted in a rise in the graph of crime against women.

Jammu, December 20
Jubilant workers of the BJP under the leadership of state president Shamsher Singh Manhas celebrated the party’s victory in Gujarat amid drum beats. They distributed sweets at the party headquarters in Jammu.

Manhas, while congratulating the party activists, said Narendra Modi made history in Gujarat by registering a thumping win for the third consecutive term, which was “indeed a matter of great pleasure and inspiration for all of us”.

He said the Congress used every tactic to defeat the BJP by levelling one slanderous allegation after other against Narendra Modi but the wise voters were not taken in by misleading falsehoods.

Manhas said while the Congress and other political parties were trying to lure the voters by making false promises, Modi sought votes for the work which he did for Gujarat’s development. He said that Modi had once again come out stronger and the Congress had to bite dust for its negative campaign against Modi.

Modi did not indulge in mudslinging and rather concentrated on the welfare of the masses, he added.

MLA Jugal Kishore Sharma, Jitendra Singh, Sat Sharma, Yudhvir Sethi, Ramesh Arora, Nirmal Kamal, Mohan Singh Chauhan, Balbir Ram, Arun Chibber, Bansi Lal Bharti, Shiv Kumar Gupta, Rajesh Gupta, Lalit Moza, Vikram Randhawa, Jaideep Sharma and others also spoke on the occasion.

Katra, December 20
Activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today celebrated Vijayotsav on the record third consecutive victory of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the Assembly election in Reasi.

As soon as the election results were out, local BJP leaders and workers gathered in front of the party office burst crackers and distributed sweets.

Addressing the jubiliant crowd, BJP district president Ajay Nanda said the credit for the BJP’s victory in Gujarat went to Narendra Modi's leadership.

“The entire nation knew that BJP will win in Gujarat. We are here to celebrate his victory in Gujarat elections,” he said. — OC

Jammu, December 20
A deputation of various tourism associations from Bhaderwah called on YV Sharma, president, Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), at the Chamber House here. They apprised him of various problems faced by them.

The members of the Bhaderwah Paying Guest Society, Bhaderwah Travel Association, Badherwah Hotel Association and Bhaderwah Tourism Federation said that Bhaderwah had a variety of heritage buildings such as Jamia Masjid, Chandi Mata Temple, Gupt Ganga, Akash Ganga, Vasuki Nag Mandir, Neozuki Temple, Dargah Sheriffs and Bhaderwah Fort, which they said, were unique in north India.

They said there were other other tourism-related activities such as rock climbing, horse riding, river rafting, para-gliding besides other fairs and festivals in Bhaderwah. They demanded installation of gandola from Gurdanda to Sonabain glacier, starting of work on the Jai Valley-Gandoh road and Bhaderwah-Seoj via Mathola.

They said the underground sewerage system be engineered efficiently. The stretch from Jai road to Bhaderwah should be developed, they demanded. They also demanded modern facilities along the Mall Road besides colonisation of the marketing complex.

Among other demands were developing the main centre at Seri Bazar Bhaderwah with latest water fountain and renovation of Ghanta Ghar and underground Sulabh Shouchalya facilities. Sharma assured the delegation that issues raised during the meeting will be taken up with the government soon.

Jammu, December 20
Hosts General Baj Cricket Club and Lions Cricket Club have won their respective matches to advance into the next round of the ongoing General Baj Singh Memorial Twenty20 Cricket Tournament at Badhori near Bari-Brahmana.

In the first match, Lions Cricket Club (LCC) scripted a 10-run win over Muslim Cricket Club (MCC). Batting first after winning the toss, LCC set a target of 181 runs for the loss of eight wickets. In reply, MCC was skittled out for 170 runs in 19.5 overs. In another match, hosts General Baj Cricket Club (GBCC) drubbed Kanhal Cricket Club (KCC) by 41 runs.

After winning the toss and batting first, GBCC set a victory target of 147 runs. In reply, KCC was bowled out for 105 runs in 15.5 overs. The matches were officiated by Zorawar Singh, Vicky Bogal, Pardeep Singh Bogal and Deepak Singh as umpires.

Jammu, December 20
State junior Volleyball teams today left for participation in the 39th junior National Volleyball Championships slated to be held at Shri Dungargarh, Bikaner in Rajasthan from December 22 to 28.

The teams were flagged off from MA Stadium today by the office-bearers of the Volleyball Association of J&K. The boys team is placed in Group B along with Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Orisha, Madhya Pradesh and Assam, while girls would play against Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Chhatisgarh, Uttarakhand and Chandigarh in Group C.

The Teams (Boys): Akshay Kumar, Rashid Khan, Rahul Sharma, Piyush Rai, Deepak, Narinder Singh, Vikram Singh, Sachin Radha, Ram Bhawan Sahil Sharma Sunil Singh and Mukesh Kumar. Coach: Mohammad Tariq. Manager: Gul Mohammad. Girls: Shivali, Shivali Kumari, Eva, Simran Choudhary, Zeenat Bhagat, Shivali Charak, Shabnam Choudhary, all from Samba district; Anksha Gupta, Bhavana Sharma, Sanskriti Maini, Fozia Kouser and Meenakshi Sharma. — TNS

Jammu, December 20
Parveen Singh and Manjeet Singh today played superb knocks to help Rainawari Cricket Club (RCC) beat Simula Cricket Club (SCC) by five wickets in the semifinals to secure a berth in the final of the ongoing Christmas Twenty20 Cricket Cup. The tournament is being organised by the J&K Christian Sports Organisation in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Police at Parade Ground here. Rainawari Club will take on JKP XI in the summit clash. Winning the toss and batting first, RCC bowlers restricted SCC to a modest total of 135 runs in the stipulated 20 overs. Shashi struck an impressive half century (51) with the help of five fours and a six. Skipper Dhruv Mahajan contributed 29 runs.

Vishwajeet Singh also chipped in with 22 runs. For RCC, Kuldeep Kumar scalped two wickets while Venus, Manjeet Singh and Satish claimed a wicket each.

In reply, RCC did the needful in 18 overs losing just five wickets. At one stage, RCC was tottering at 35/4 in 8 overs but a gutsy knock of 62 runs by Parveen Singh with the help of eight boundaries and three sixes helped his team to chase the target. He made a crucial 98-run partnerships with Manjeet Singh. For SCC, Vishwajeet, Dhruv, Shashi and Vikram scalped one wicket each. Parveen Singh of RCC was adjudged man of the match which was officiated by Sandeep and Suhail as umpires.

Jammu, December 20
Traffic Police, Jammu range, during its special drive in the last 72 hours, has challaned 5,580 vehicles for seat belt violations and a fine to the tune of Rs 6.29 lakh was imposed on the violators.

The drive against violation of seat belt and crash helmet regulations would continue. Strict action would also be taken against those indulging in triple riding and stunt biking, it has been stated.

Shakeel Ahmed Beig, DIG, Traffic Jammu, has directed all the traffic cops deployed in Gandhinagar area to pay special attention towards wrongly parked vehicles. — TNS

Jammu, December 20
The Department of Legal Metrology has booked and fined a Mumbai-based chocolate manufacturer for not mentioning the packing date on the commodity. More than 100 packages were seized from the market during inspection.

Deputy Controller, Legal Metrology Enforcement, said the rules protect the consumers by providing mandatory declarations like minimum retail price (MRP), packaging date, net weight, complete address of the manufacturer and consumer helpline number on all the commodities.

Officials said the chocolates were packed with the statutory declaration to consume the said chocolates within three months from the date of packing but the date was not marked. All the packages have been recalled from the market for necessary rectification and a sum of Rs 10,000 was imposed as fine. — TNS