Jammu, February 2
Fear grips patients and their families after the theft of a baby boy from the state's oldest health institution, Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital yesterday. This is the third incident of baby theft at the hospital. Patients fear they could also become the target of a gang of thieves operating in the hospital.

Adding to the panic is the dismal record of the police in recovering stolen babies in the past. Expectant mothers from various parts of the region are reluctant to get admitted in the hospital.

According to officials, an average 50 to 60 deliveries are conducted in the hospital everyday while 86 patients are admitted to the hospital every day. The hospital has 550 beds.

Jammu, February 2
Much to the mental agony of parents whose newly-born babies were stolen from Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital in the recent past and much to the outrage of civil society in the winter capital here, Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) and hospital administration remain “clueless” to the brazen dance of baby thefts. To add salt to the injuries of civil society some of the senior officers of the JKP don’t feel “comfortable” to take direct queries of The Tribune.

While the hospital administration claimed that there was a “gang of thieves” operating around the hospital and informed about it to the police, the City Police have miserably failed to identify and book the suspected people. Ironically, both the hospital authorities and the police officers had been passing the bucks and nobody was ready to take responsibility.

“I am not comfortable on phone. Come to my office,” was the response of Superintendent of Police, City North, J S Johar who refused to take direct question on the issue. He didn’t respond to repeated phone calls which were made to seek time for an appointment with him.

Dilbagh Singh, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jammu Zone, said the hospital staff was creating law and order problems for the police. “We can’t depute policemen inside the hospital labour room and it is the duty of the hospital authorities to put their house in order. It is unfortunate that they put the onus of such incidents on the police because they are highly unprofessional and irresponsible people.”

The IGP said the hospital authorities were just passing the buck to the police to evade responsibility. “The way the thefts are taking place in the hospital, we will be left with no option but to register cases against the hospital staff. There is a possibility that the staff could be involved in such incidents and I have asked my officers to investigate the matter.” Dr AK Sharma, Medical Superintendent, SMGS Hospital, said a “gang of thieves” was active in the hospital and they had ordered an inquiry into such incidents.

A senior doctor of the hospital refusing to be named said they reported the previous incidents to the police but they (concerned police officers) had failed to arrest the criminals. “Though internal security is also responsible to stop such theft cases but the police officers concerned is not pursuing the matter aggressively to nab the thieves,” the doctor said.

Jammu, February 2
Even though there is no let-up in cases of baby theft at the state’s oldest health institution, SMGS Hospital here, the civil society is silent over the issue. A day after another newborn was stolen from the Labour Room of the hospital, the issue evokes mixed response from people.

MM Khajuria, former Director General of Police said senior police officers need to focus on the issue and apprehend those who are behind such incidents. Both the police and the hospital staff were responsible for such crimes. A Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) needs to be devised wherein the hospital staff and parents must take care of the security of the newborns to prevent such incidents.

The issue is not as important for the civil society as political matters.

BS Slathia, president Bar Association, Jammu, says, “It is a matter of grave concern and the authorities concerned should look into the issue seriously. Thefts of infants had been taking place due to negligence of the hospital administration and a foolproof arrangement needs to be put in place so that such incidents don’t reoccur. At the same time, the police can’t escape from its responsibility and must act in the case to punish the guilty.

The government should fix the responsibility of the hospital and police authorities and they should be penalised for such serious lapses, he said.

Pavitar Singh, convenor Jammu Province Peoples Forum (JPPF), an amalgam of various social, non-political and student groups-has lashed out at the hospital administration particularly Principal Dr Aniece Choudhary for negligence. He demanded that the officials at the helm of affairs should be held responsible. Babies getting stolen perhaps for money shows that the entire social system had crumbled, he said. The government must order an inquiry and we will raise the issue in the coming days.

Lalit Magotra, president, Dogri Sanstha, Jammu, said there can be no compensation for for parents for the loss of their child.

Authorities should put themselves in their place to realise their pain. The police or the hospital authorities are passing the buck to evade responsibility.

Jammu, February 2
Minister for Planning and Development Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today set March 15 as the deadline for completion of the Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), which is part of the mega sewerage project currently under execution in Jammu city at the cost of Rs 108.31 crore.

During an inspection of the project at various segments at Bhagwati Nagar here today, Sadhotra asked the executing agency to undertake extensive testing of the sewerage network and initiate house connections by March 31. The STP is being constructed at the cost of Rs 28.61 crore with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Minister was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the Economic Reconstruction Agency, Saurab Bhagat, and other senior officers and engineers.

The CEO apprised the minister about the features of the mega project, having 146 kilometre sewer network of which 106 kilometres have been laid. He was told that the house connection survey work was under progress and house connections would be provided to all households in a phased manner within the project area free of cost.

The officers told Sadhotra that an awareness campaign will also be launched by the ERA to make people aware of the benefits and significance of sewerage system in improving sanitation in the community.

Sadhotra, however, emphasised on the need to expedite work on the entire project and said the purpose of such schemes was to keep the city clean.

The Minister also laid stress on the quality of work and directed that the quality standards of the project be maintained and monitored by senior functionaries of the agency.

Jammu, February 2
First film in the Gojri language, ‘Malli Gujjari’, directed by Qayoom Raja and written by Dr Javaid Rahi, was screened at the Gujjar Centre for Culture and Heritage today.

The film has been made by Neeru Films J&K and has been produced by Neeru Raina, the daughter of renowned filmmaker KK Raina and Kashmiri poetess Bimla Raina. The film is based on the problem of the girl child especially the issues related to women empowerment in the tribal and nomadic cultures.

The lyrics have been contributed by Gojri poet Showkat Naseem Chowdhary and music was arranged by renowned singer Suraj Singh.

Masud Chowdhary, former Vice-Chancellor of BGSB University and patron of the Gurjar Desh Chairtable Trust was the chief guest while MLC Vijay Bakaya and Director, Doordarshan, Jammu, Shabir Mujahid were also present at its screening today.

Director of film Qayoom Raja said the film was shot in tribal localities of Rajpora Darhali Qilla and other areas of Rajouri. Rahi said it was the story of Malli Gujjari, a poor tribal Gujjar woman and her struggle to fight prevalent customs in remote tribal belts.

Producer Neeru Raina said, “We are screening this ilm for members of the tribal Gujjar society to create awareness among them about the anti-women customs prevalent in tribal communities.”

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 2
Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone today paid a surprise visit to various city colleges and interacted with students and the teaching staff.

He visited Government Gandhi Memorial Science (GGMS) College, Canal Road, Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, and Government Moulana Azad Memorial (MAM) College, Jammu. He took stock of the functioning of these institutions and facilities available to the students.

The minister also went around classrooms of these colleges and called for ensuring punctuality and full attendance of students in the classrooms.

At Gandhi Nagar College, the minister inspected various blocks, including the Department of Arts, administrative block, lecture rooms, moot court, career council cell, library and laboratories. He inspected first-aid centre of the college. The college management briefed the minister about the overall functioning and issues confronting them.

Lone directed the principal of the college to submit the status report of land of the college earlier acquired by the government for construction of new flyover bridge.

During his visit to library, the minister was informed that around 55,000 books were available in the library. Lone directed for proper utilisation of library funds as per requirements. He also stressed for maintaining a book record register and adequately training all persons engaged on daily wage basis working in the library.

While inspecting laboratories in the colleges, the minister stressed for proper upkeep and maintenance.

At GMAM College, the minister inspected various sections, including the administrative block and the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC). The official concerned briefed the minister about the activities conducted by the IQAC.

Interacting with the students of the colleges, the minister impressed upon them to strive hard to achieve their desired goal and bring laurels for the state. The minister also inspected hostel at GGM Science College and took stock of the meals and other facilities provide to the students. The students apprised the minister about various issues for his intervention.

Lone directed the director, colleges, who accompanied him during his visit, to submit a detailed report about the construction of new infrastructure in these colleges. He also asked the principals concerned to go ahead with minor works.

Jammu, February 2
The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Government College for Women (GCW), Gandhi Nagar, organised a parent-teacher meet on the college premises here today.

The programme commenced with Saraswati Vandana followed by presentation of cultural items. Principal Dr Kiran Bakshi asked parents to give their valuable suggestions for further growth of the institution.

Dr Geetanjali A Rana, convenor, IQAC, interacted with parents and acquainted with them the need of holding the meet for holistic development of the students. She requested them to express their views impartially and come forward with their opinions and piece of advice.

Prof Shiveta Gandotra gave a presentation regarding the extra co-curricular activities of the college which were held for overall development of the students during the current session.

Parents shared their views and gave suggestions for the improvement of various facilities. Meanwhile, Minister for Higher Education Akbar Lone also paid a visit to the college and appreciated its functioning. Prof Seema Mir presented the vote of thanks. The proceedings of the programme were compered by Numana and Vinnie. 

Jammu, February 2
Club de Francais (French Language Club) along with JBAI’s ILearn (An Institute of Languages) organised a prize distribution ceremony for the winners of French written quiz competition held at KC Gurukul School.

Amreena Imtiaz of the host school secured first position while Akaknsha Sharma and Aditya Gupta from Jodhamal Public School had to settle for the second and third position, respectively.

Vijay Puri, director, Academics of KC Gurukul, Arun Sharma, founder of Club da Francis, BL Dogra, principal, KC Gurukul, Mamta Singh, head mistress and Rama Bargotra were also present on the occasion.

The French written quiz competition was conducted last month wherein number of schools participated. The motive of the Club de Francis and Ilearn was to spread this global language among the students so that they could be fully acclimatised with foreign languages which can enhance their future career prospects.

Jammu, February 2
A function was held in the Guru Gobind Singh Higher Secondary School, Kunjwani, to mark the birthday of Guru Gobind Singh. Students of different wings recited shabad kirtan in memory of Guru Gobind Singh while the students of the Higher Secondary wing threw light on his life and teachings.

School Principal Gurtaj Singh addressed the students. Prof Harbans Singh, chairman and administrator of the school, Charanjeet Kaur asked the students to follow the path shown by the tenth Sikh Guru.

Jammu, February 2
Sonu Cricket Club (SCC) got the better of Naman Cricket Club (NCC) by two wickets in the ongoing T20 Cricket Tournament being played at Sarore village here today.

Batting first after winning the toss, NCC posted a total of 187 runs in the allotted overs for the loss of five wickets. Pardeep played a knock of 75 runs with the help of six hits to the fence. For SCC, Rohit, Vivek and Sandeep shared a wicket each.

Chasing 187 runs to win, SCC got off to a flying start with both openers Jugal and Vikram went after the bowling from the onset and laid a perfect launching pad. Jugal remained unbeaten on 68 that contained seven boundaries and a six. The match was officiated by Ramakant, Shashi and Ravi. — TNS