The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Truck driver’s death sparks protest
Four policemen, 8 civilians injured in clash; protesters block Jammu-Srinagar highway for two hours
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
Death of an alleged bovine smuggler while being chased by a police patrol car on Monday night led to a violent protest today. The police resorted to lathicharge on the protesters who attacked the policemen with stones. As many as four policemen and eight protesters received minor injuries in the incident. Reports said the truck driver Manzoor Ahmed had died on the spot.

Victim’s family members Tempers ran high and traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was disrupted for more than two hours as family members of the deceased driver and members of the Gujjar community resorted to violent protests, throwing stones at policemen who resorted to lathicharge and fired smoke shells. The victim’s family members alleged that the police killed the truck driver. On the other hand, the police claimed the victim was hit by an unidentified vehicle after he jumped off the moving truck, after hitting a police patrol car in an attempt to escape.

SHO, Nagrota, OP Chib, said the truck driver was first asked to stop by the police at Narwal checkpost, but he did not and tried to hit a policeman with his truck. “After this he was being chased by a police patrol car and near Nagrota, the truck tried to hit the car when it came in front of it to make him stop the vehicle. However, rather than slowing down, the driver tried to hit the police vehicle and later jumped from the truck in a bid to escape,” Chib said.

Chib alleged following the incident hundreds of residents, including Gujjars, attacked the policemen leaving several injured.

After the incident more policemen were deployed at the spot and stone pelting continued for more than half-an-hour. “We tried to pacify the protesters but they attacked the police party with stones, which forced us to cane-charge them. The situation is now under control,” Chib said. Later the police took the body to the GMCH for a post-mortem before handing it over to his family members.

Bovine smuggling is a major concern for the law enforcement agencies as hundreds of cattle are smuggled to Kashmir Valley and border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

Junior doctors end strike at GMCH, SMGS hospitals
Arteev Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
As many as 450 junior doctors of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) and Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital, Jammu, called off their three-day-long strike after the state government assured them of “enhanced security” and “early redressal of their grievances”.

The decision in this regard was taken after a two and half-an-hour long meeting between Minister for Medical Education, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, and representatives of striking doctors at the GMCH. “They will resume duty immediately as we have assured them that their grievances will be redressed shortly. We have also directed the police to identify anti-social, trouble-makers and undesirable elements within the hospital and punish them under the law,” Taj said. Junior doctors at the GMCH, Jammu, went on a flash strike on Saturday (April 13) after the relatives of Vishal Sharma, 18, who was critically injured in a road mishap and later died in the hospital, allegedly went on a rampage, smashed windowpanes and manhandled doctors.

They had accused the hospital administration of denying timely treatment to the deceased. This was the second incident within a fortnight when the junior doctors had called for strike after their clash with attendants of patients.

The minister, however, made a fervent appeal to the general public requesting them to cooperate with the doctors. “People must understand that they are not criminals. They (doctors) deserve respect and dignity. All the measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in future,” Taj said.

During the meeting, it was also decided that Special Police Officers (SPOs), who were not trained to deal with ugly situation arising out of the doctors-attendants clashes, would be deployed outside the Emergency block of the GMCH while regular policemen would be deployed inside the block to prevent such clashes. Earlier, SPOs were deployed inside the emergency block only.

However, the role of the police department came under sharp criticism in the meeting with striking junior doctors accused the police officers of provoking the people to resort to violent protests.

A representative of the doctors said, “It is because of ego problem and self interest that the police officers concerned generally provoke people to resort to violent protests. We apprised the minister of this as there was a need to initiate action against them too. Had the police taken timely action, the recent clash could have been avoided.”

Earlier, medical services remained severely affected for the third consecutive day today with junior doctors abstaining from work at the GMCH and the SMGS Hospital, demanding enhanced security.

Patients and their attendants had a harrowing time due to the strike as the emergency as well as OPD services were affected despite the fact hospital administration requisitioning the services of senior doctors.

3 women killed by lightening

Batote, April 16
Four persons, including three women, died while one person was injured in separate mishaps in Ramban over the past 24 hours. Two sisters-in-law, Achru Devi, 42, and Nisha Devi, 29, were killed on the spot after they were struck by lightening inside their house at Kund Duksan in Ramban.

In another incident, Bega Begum Shan and her goat, were killed when lightening struck them while she was grazing her cattle in the afternoon today. A motorcyclist, Tarlochan Singh, 56, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital after he was hit by an unidentified vehicle near his house while he was returning home at Ladhwal in Batote last night. He died while being taken to the GMC, Jammu, from the hospital in Batote. A labourer, Ranjit Singh of Chakwa, Batote, was seriously injured when he was hit by a tipper while he was working at a road project at Nashri last night. He was referred to the GMC, Hospital, Jammu.

Caught cheating in exam, BSc student ends life
Ranjit Thakur

Rajouri, April 16
A 20-year-old BSc first year student of Degree College, Thanamandi, committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance at her house after she was allegedly caught red-handed using unfair means in her examination.

SHO, Thanamandi, Zakir Shaheen Mirza said Rozia Kosar, a resident of Baratpur, committed suicide at her residence after appearing in her part first (English-B) paper at the Degree College, Thanamandi, this morning.

She was allegedly caught red handed while using a Bluetooth device during the paper inside the examination hall at the Degree College, Thanamandi, morning, when the invigilators seized her Bluetooth device and mobile phone, he said. The college authorities also lodged a case, he said.

This afternoon her mother found her unconscious and she was admitted to the hospital from where the doctors referred her to the District Hospital, Rajouri. She died on way to the hospital, reports said.

Principal, Degree College, Thanamandi, Mushtaq Lone said, “We caught her using unfair means in the examination. She was using a Bluetooth device to cheat and we filed a case against her and after that we gave her an extra plain sheet to attempt the paper.”

SHO, Thanamandi, said the body was handed over to the family after the postmortem.

Tragic end

Rozia Kosar, a resident of Baratpur, a 20-year-old BSc first year student of Degree College, Thanamandi, committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance at her house

Power cut plays havoc with traffic lights
Claims made by dept of 8-hour power backup false
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
The traffic lights that have been installed in many locations in the Jammu city by the Traffic Department have failed to serve their purpose as they were giving incorrect signals to commuters.

The crucial signal timers are not working which creates confusion among the commuters in the city. The confusion is common during the peak hours, particularly at the Indira Chowk, Shakuntala Chowk and Bikram Chowk.

The traffic mess emerges mainly on two accounts, first lack of awareness and scant respect among the citizens vis-à-vis traffic rules and secondly lacunae in the execution of rules by the traffic authorities, who too in majority of the cases, are as ignorant about the laws as those, who are supposed to obey the rules.

Authorities have failed to check the back-up time of the lights in case of long power cuts in the city. Though the Traffic Department claims that there is an eight-hour-long traffic lights “backup” after the power shutdown, but it seems the traffic lights stop working after midnight in different locations in the city.

Sources said the company, which had installed the traffic lights in the state, had assured the department that the backup of these lights was of eight hours in case of power cut, but the department has not checked the claims of the agency. Sources said the traffic lights had not been made fully functional because basic work of the traffic light systems were still pending.

Interestingly, the traffic officials had claimed that every traffic signal would be manned by separate personnel deployed and they do their job efficiently, but reality was different to the claims.

When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic, Manmohan Singh told The Tribune that out of total 30 traffic lights installed in the city, eight lights have been put on blinking mode by the department.

“There is so much traffic on the roads that it becomes difficult for the personnel to control it even after the installation of traffic lights because so many vehicles pass at one time”, the SSP said.

“There is nothing wrong with the traffic lights. Infact, after the Darbar move, the traffic on the city roads will definitely improve,” Singh opined.

Traffic Mess

Crucial signal timers not working, creates confusion among the commuters, problem common during the peak hours

The Traffic Department claims that there is an eight-hour-long traffic lights “backup” after the power shutdown, but it seems the traffic lights stop working after midnight in different locations in the city

The traffic lights has not been made fully functional because basic work of the traffic light systems were still pending

Brainstorming session on Tawi catchment
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
The National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Regional Centre, Jammu, organised a one-day brainstorming session on ‘Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Project on Tawi Catchment’, here today.

Minister for PHE Sham Lal Sharma was the chief guest and PHE Commissioner Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal was the guest of honour on the occasion.

The objective of the workshop was to interact with various stakeholders and seek their viewpoints before undertaking the detailed study of the Tawi basin. The NIH has been entrusted the job of conducting detailed studies across the country under the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) concept.

The IWRM is a process that promotes coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximise the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. The proper instrumentation to collect research grade data of hydrological variable and in-depth analysis of the data is the thrust of these programmes.

The study will help the state government in future planning of Jammu city, impact of the Tawi on the day-to-day life of people, environment and measures required for its proper conservation. This will also help generation of comprehensive hydro-meteorological data base of the Tawi basin, rainfall-run off model for the Tawi basin and its sub-basins under changing land use and climate change scenario, real time flood forecasting model for the Tawi, environment flows for critical reaches and proper water resource management plan of the river.

In his opening remarks, the minister appreciated the initiative and said the agency would undertake the extensive study on the behaviour of the Tawi which would go a long way in helping the government to take further steps for its proper conservation.

34 get Sher-e-Kashmir Sports Awards at Jammu University
Vikas Sharma
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah conferred the prestigious Sher-e-Kashmir Sports Award on 34 outstanding sportspersons in recognition of their achievements at the national and international level at a glittering investiture ceremony at Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu, today.

Out of the 34 awardees, 30 were present at the ceremony. Gymnast Navjot Singh was the youngest recipient of the award.

The award of football player, Ishfaq Ahmed was received on his behalf by Fayaz Ahmad Sofi while skiing player, Arif Mohammad Khan’s award was received by Avtar Singh.

The award of International football player, Mehraj-ud-Din Wadoo was received on his behalf by his coach Nissar Hussain while another skiing player, Shoaib Zahoor Mir’s award was received by Sakib Irfan. The award carries a citation, a certificate, a medal besides cash award.

After the function, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Youth Services and Sports, rued that the function was held after a long gap of 17 years but said the authorities would try to make it a regular feature.

“The authorities would try to organise the function to honour our sports persons on a regular basis. If it is not possible to conduct it every year, we would try to conduct it after every two years,” he said.

International Wushu player, Kuldeep Handoo, one of the recipients of award said, “It is the moment which every sportsperson has waited for after working hard to bring laurels for the state. I hope that this function which was held after a long gap, will be held every year to honour the sportspersons,” Handoo added.

Awardees: Tejpal Kaur, Manvinder Singh, Manpreet Kour, Mitali, Mayank Jain, Jaskaran Singh, Palak Kaur, Navjot Singh, Seema Mehra, Kamal Singh, Sonia Sharma, Harleen Singh, Sonal Gupta-gymnastics, Ishfaq Ahmad, Arun Malhotra-football, Kuldeep Handoo-wushu, Kuldeep Kumar Gupta-tug-of-war, Rashid Ahmad Choudhary-fencing, Jonny Kumar-football, Tashi Thinles, Arif Mohammad Khan, Sakina Bashir, Amandeep Singh, Raahil Farooq Shah, Shoaib Zahoor Mir, Mehjabeena Akhter-skiing, Rita Devi-handball, Bhanu Partap-judo, Ujjwal Gupta-fencing, Younus Nazir Kochey-snooker, Mehraj-ud-Din Wadoo-football, Bilquis Mir-Kayaking and Canoeing, Nippu Jamwal-Judo, Mohammad Ali-Taekwondo.

Career counselling programme held in Rajouri
Our Correspondent

Rajouri, April 16
In order to show the ways of job portals for the University scholars, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University and Indian Army held a Technical Seminar-cum-Career Counseling on the university campus in which 20 national and multinational corporate houses representatives gave presentations of their company profiles.

The programme also witnessed career counselling for various institutions. The programme was aimed at providing opportunities to the university students in various sectors by showing them various means to enter into the jobs.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Irshad Ahmed Hamal inaugurated the Seminar r it while General Officer Commanding of Romeo Force Maj. General I Narayana was the chief guest. Prominent among others, Registrar BGSBU Mohammad Rashid Chowdhary, Dean Academic Affairs Prof AK Koul, Principal College of Engineering & Technology Prof M Asgar, Special Secretary to VC Suneet Gupta, Principal University Polytechnic Col KK Dogra senior officers of University, faculty members and scholars were also present.

The programme initiated with recitation of koranic verses followed by University Tarana presented by the University scholars. The corporate representatives delivered impressive lectures and inspiring talks from multinational companies like HCL, Konkan Railway, BSNL, National Highway Authority of India, ONGC, Hindustan Construction Company, ACCORD Communications Pvt Ltd, Tadiran Telecom, Juniper Networks, NEC, Schneider, D-Link, Pioneer Engineering, Border Road Organisations and Mughal Road Project. A talk was also held by representatives of the Army on various entry schemes for joining Indian Army, Navy & Air Force.

On the occasion General Officer Commanding of Romeo Force Maj. Gen. I Narayana said Army is serious to engage the dedicated youth in its cadre. He said not only in Army, they are also helping the youths under operation Sadbhavana in getting jobs in the corporate sector by organizing such career counselling programmes.

He also announced to organize annual placement programme in this University by bring corporate representatives in the university. Thanking the Indian Army for collaborating the programme, the Vice- Chancellor Prof IA Hamal said the Seminar will help the passouts of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in getting jobs in various corporate sectors besides the Army.

He said various university passouts have already joined the Army and the corporate world. He said the University has intensified its activities of placements.”We have fully functionalized placement cell and are regularly providing training & exposure to the scholars for improving their communication skills and other personality traits so that they do not face any problem in getting jobs”, VC said adding that a reputed company has recently appointed 9 scholars of MBA for the post of Channel Managers and efforts are on to get others placed.

‘The Dilemma’ gives a new meaning to love
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
The Shivani Cultural Society, under its ‘theatre of convenience’ concept, performed a play based on uniqueness of love desired to make world a lovable place to live in. Entitled ‘The Dilemma’, the Hindustani play focused on the practical basis of love between a boy and girl, who after finding their loyalties towards each other, decide to part ways in good respect to give love a meaningful reason.

After learning from her parents about her arranged marriage with an IT employee, Divya, who is in love with her classmate Rahul since childhood, calls him home and tells her parents’ wish.

Divya having attained a marriageable age and Rahul, who is still struggling with his academic and professional certificates to get a job, discuss the situation in most-wisely manner.

Without blaming anyone and pledging to keep the sanctity of love as the pious and supreme gift of god between two human beings, both decide to part ways willfully.

No old memories of love and intrinsic relations are unfurled before they bid a final goodbye to each other as Rahul leaves the home with a refreshing smile wishing her good luck while the latter praying to almighty to provide a good job to Rahul for his future life. Neha Lahotra, and Himanshu Darshan, the two seasoned actors of the state performed the play at Divya Bhavan. The play was written and directed by Vikram Sharma.

BBFS opens youth development centre in Jammu
To provide training to youth at grassroots level
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) opened its first youth development centre at KC Public School here. Recently, the coaches of BBFS had organised a six-day Coaches Training Camp at the school to train the local coaches. The camp was overseen by the head coach of BBFS, Jose Tavares, former Portuguese International player and his team of experienced coaches from Delhi.

“During this camp, we have identified talented coaches and young players in the region and we hope to work with them in the future”, said Tavares. Further, BBFS plans to start a football school at KC Public School shortly, wherein the local kids would be invited to join and learn the basic fundamentals of the game.

BBFS is India’s first football school, started under the leadership of legendary Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia and two IIT Delhi/IIM Ahmedabad graduates Anurag Khilnani and Kishore Taid. The nation-wide initiative began its operations in December 2010 and currently has over 600 children enrolled for regular programme across nine centers in the NCR Region, Mumbai and Chandigarh.

“Since my retirement from international football, I have been travelling non-stop across the country to create awareness among young kids about football and the importance of grassroots level coaching. With BBFS, it gives me a good platform to interact with kids and give them an opportunity to learn from trained professionals with excellent infrastructure, something which we missed while growing up”, said Baichung Bhutia.

“Looking at the talent pool in the region, especially the young kids coming from the Ladakh region, BBFS aims to bring its philosophy of small sided games to the region” he added. “During a scouting exercise in 2012, we identified abundant talent in the region and therefore, we wanted to open an academy here to tap this potential,” said Anurag Khilnani, Director and founding member of BBFS.

Malik is president KAS Officers’ Assn
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
MH Malik has been elected the president of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services (KAS) Officers Association in an election held on April 15, results of which were formally announced today.

Commercial Taxes commissioner Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, who also happened to be the returning officer for the elections, formally announced the newly-elected team of the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Services Officers Association here today.

Malik has been elected president, GS Chib as vice-president, GN Itoo general secretary, Ravi Sharma as treasurer and Suraj P Rukwal as publicity secretary.

While the councillors included Rajinder Singh Tara, Babila Rakwal, Angrez Singh Rana, Arvind Kotwal, Rubeena Kounsar, TK Bhat, Tariq Hussain Ganai, Rakesh Sarangal, Dr BA Lone, Showkat Hussain Kazmi

Speaking on the occasion, MH Malik, thanked members of the association for electing him as the president and called upon the members to work unitedly for the betterment of the association.

“The Administrative Services officers are important entity of the state govenment and political system and they, too, have the responsibility to work for the people and I am hopeful that the officers will make every effort to render the best services to the people of the state and will ensure that proper work culture is inculcated among the officers,” he said.

Kamal criticises Soz’s statement

Rajouri, April 16
Additional general secretary of ruling National Conference Dr Mustafa Kamal today slammed the recent statement of Prof Saifuddin Soz in which the PCC chief hinted at Congress contesting the 2014 Assembly elections on its own and not forming an alliance with the National Conference.

Talking to mediapersons here, Dr Kamal said Soz was making false claims by misguiding the people of the state because the Congress has no credibility to form government on its own. Kamal refused to accept the Congress had emerged as an influential party, saying they have been surviving with the NC support and they had limited seats in the Assembly.

Such type of statements from Prof Soz were against the spirit of alliance.He said the National Conference had won elections several times before and it has the credibility to form the government on its own.

“After the 2014 Assembly polls, the Congress may form the next government on its own if we have the required numbers. But we are also open to form a coalition government if we fall short of numbers,” Soz had told mediapersons on the sidelines of a function to welcome him after his reappointment as the PCC chief a few days ago. — OC

SVO presents challan against two
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
State Vigilance Organization (SVO) has produced challan in the court of Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, Jammu, against Muhammad Muqeem, the then Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) Gandoh-Bhalessa and Munir Ahmed r/o Kandloo tehsil Gandoh district Doda, then teacher-cum-clerk education department accepting illegal gratification of Rs10,000 from the complainant Dular Singh.

On April 4, 2012, the complainant lodged a written complaint in Vigilance Organization alleging that complainant was working as an ad hoc teacher in Government primary school, Sayie Gandoh Bhalessa and Muhammad Muqeem and Munir Ahmed demanded Rs10,000 for crediting his pay arrears into his account.

Accordingly, a trap was organized during which Munir Ahmed was caught red-handed while accepting Rs10,000 from the complainant.

The next date of hearing has been fixed for 20-05-2013.

Advanced training for forest officers: Czech Ambassador
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
Czech Republic Ambassador Miloslav Stasak today called on the Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmed and discussed several issues related to protection of wildlife, forest and environment in the state.

Altaf gave him a detailed account of the initiatives taken by the government for protection of forests, preservation of wildlife and maintenance of environment. He said falling of trees had been banned and is strictly adhered to in all aspects.

Miloslav informed the minister about the plan of his government to exchange the Indian origin species. He said he would arrange officials to impart advanced training to forest officers of the state. Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief Wildlife Warden and Director Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing were present on the occasion.

Surinder emerges winner in wrestling
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
SI Surinder Singh of the 84 Battalion emerged victorious in 55 kg weight category (wrestling) today in the Inter-Battalion CRPF Sports Meet being held in the disciplines of weightlifting and wrestling, respectively at the MA stadium here.

CT Jeet Raj of Group Centre (GC), Bantalab, was a runner-up in the same category. In the 74 kg weight category, CT Narinder Sharma of GC Bantabal defeated Surinder Kumar of the 84 Battalion. CT Karambir of the 84 Battalion had the last laugh against CT Shakeel Choudhary of the 6 Battalion. In 96 kg, ASI Sunil Kumar of the 84 Battalion got the better of his compatriot Rajesh Kumar.

In the above 96 kg weight category, CT S Behra of 84 Battalion beat CT Rajinder Prasad of the same battalion. The sporting event is being organised by the 84 Battalion under the supervision of Commandant Shiv Kumar Upadhayay. Earlier, Narvir Singh Rana, Commandant, 33 Battalion was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony.

Volleyball tourney from April 26

Jammu, April 16
Volleyball Club, Muthi, will conduct the open volleyball tournament from April 26 to 28 at Government Higher Secondary School, Muthi, in the memory of Late Karan Singh under the auspices of the J&K Volleyball Association.

The association has also decided to give cash prize of Rs 7,000 to the winner team while the runners-up team will pocket a sum of Rs 5,000. The matches will be played on knock-out basis as per the rules of the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI).

The association has invited entries from various volleyball clubs, para-military forces, police and educational institutions. The interested teams are directed to send their entry fee of Rs 200/- per team along with list of players to Shashi Sharma, organising secretary of this tournament on or before April 22. — TNS

Smuggling bid foiled, two held

Rajouri, April 16
To curb smuggling of animals, the police has foiled a smuggling bid by arresting two persons in Kalakote area of border Rajouri district. Reports said two persons were held after a naka was laid at Sialsui.

The police intercepted a Tata Mobile (1880-JK11A ) and seized five bovine animals and arrested two smugglers, identified as Mohammed Aslam, a resident of Palma, Nagrota, and Sartaj Ahmed, a resident of Behrote, Thanamandi.

A case has been registered under Sections 188/RPC and 3/PCA Act at Kalakote police station. — OC

Tiger Division organises medical camp
Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 16
A free medical camp was organised by the Tiger Division for the veterans and their families of village Bari Kamila, in Vijaypur tehsil of Samba district here. Much needed specialised medical cover was given to women, children and old people by the 426 Field Hospital.

Nearly 478 veterans and their dependants were treated during the medical camp. The veterans and their families lauded the efforts of the Tiger Division and the Armed Forces Medical Services for providing medical care.