Jammu, April 22
Hundreds of women today took to the streets in Jammu city demanding capital punishment for the Delhi rape accused, besides better laws to curb growing incidences of crimes against women across the country.

Scores of activists of the Jammu Mahila Morcha held demonstration at Bakshi Nagar while many playway school children lighted candles at Krishna Nagar for the speedy recovery of the five-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted and brutalised by her neighbour in New Delhi recently.

The activists led by Parveen Gupta shouted slogans against the Congress-led UPA government for its failure to safeguard the dignity of women because of weak laws thus “allowing the accused to get bail easily”.

The protesters also expressed concern over the increase in rape cases in Jammu and Kashmir which they said had led to a fear psychosis among women.

“The recent rape incident is brutal and intolerable. Even after the December 16 rape incident which shook the nation, the politicians continue to make just speeches and not have done anything to make stringent laws against sexual assault,” Gupta said.

The protesting women were also joined by people near the Government Medical College (GMC) who demanded speedy legal process for disposing of the cases involving crimes against the women.

“A five-year-old child was violated in New Delhi brutally. We demand death penalty for the accused. There is need to take speedy action in such cases,” said Radhika Sharma, a university student. The students and staff of Gemini Playway School lighted candles for the speedy recovery of the girl.

“Our prayers are with the little girl. How can a man do such a thing with a child? The accused should be hanged,” said Anjali Dogra, school principal. Dogra said sexual assault cases against women in Jammu and Kashmir had also increased and the government needed to act fast.

Even Omar Abdullah-government has admitted in the Legislative Assembly that over 300 rape cases were reported in the state during 2012-13. About 9,500 cases of crime against women, including 815 rape cases, have been registered in the past three years in J&K.

The incidents include kidnapping of women and girls, molestation, eve teasing, dowry death, abetment to suicide, domestic violence, dowry demand and immoral trafficking.

The data reveals that in 2011, there were 3,330 such cases comprising 273 rapes and 1,041 kidnappings while 2,763 cases comprising 243 rapes and 850 kidnappings were reported in all the 22 districts of the state in 2010.

Jammu, April 22
Minister of State for Industries and Commerce Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo today underlined the significance of food processing industry saying the sector had the potential to become a beacon of industrial development in Jammu and Kashmir.

The minister said this while inaugurating a seminar on “National Mission on Food Processing and Capacity Building” which was attended by over 100 entrepreneurs at Riviera Inn here.

The programme is being organised by SIDCO in association with the National Skills Foundation of India to make entrepreneurs aware about the National Mission on Food Processing and to train and sensitise them on vital issues related to food processing.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister emphasised the need to provide fillip to the food processing sector by making certain technical interventions to boost the industry.

“The topography of the state is conducive to support the food processing industry if we make some effective technical interventions. Capacity building and use of modern technology can go a long way in the growth of food sector in the state,” he added.

The minister also emphasised huge potential the sector offered in terms of employment generation. “The food processing sector contributes 7 per cent to the country’s GDP and provides employment to about 13 million people directly,” he said, asking the youth to embrace the opportunities, of both skilled and unskilled jobs, the sector offers. 

Jammu, April 22
The displaced Kashmiri Hindus today alleged that the Central government was more concerned about rehabilitation of terrorists rather than people who believe in the concept of unified India and were hit by militancy in the state.

The Pandits reacted sharply to the recent statement of Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in which he said the Hindus who left the Valley after the eruption of insurgency did not need rehabilitation package anymore.

Several representative organisations of the Pandits have alleged that while the Government of India and J&K Government spent huge amounts on rehabilitation of terrorists who killed innocent people and waged war against the country, terror victims have become burden on them.

A demonstration was held by the Kashmiri Migrant Relief Holders and Over Aged Youth who said it was the wrong policy of the Central government which forced the Hindus to leave their homes in the Valley.

“It is unfortunate that the Home Minister of India says that the Hindus are now settled. We continue to live as refugees in our own country. Nothing has been done for the rehabilitation of the youth so far and the return package has become a farce,” said AK Dhar, a protester.

Comrade Mohan Lal, another protester, said, “The minister (Shinde) has scratched our wounds. We suffered because we support India and not the separatist ideology.”

The All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC)’s Political Affairs Committee president H L Chatta, ”Shinde must remember that the Pandits had lost their property worth thousands of crores besides hundreds of their family members having been killed by the terrorists in the past two decades.”

Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) chief Kundan Kashmiri said the Pandits had not been given any package till date and had the then Shiv Sena chief late Bal Thackeray not come to their rescue in 1990s in the aftermaths of eruption of militancy, the entire community would have vanished by now.

Jammu, April 22
First Lady Usha Vohra today launched the year-long silver jubilee activities to be undertaken by the Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam Welfare Society (VKWS), Rajiv Nagar, Narwal, at a function held at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar here.

Speaking on the occasion, the First Lady lauded the work done by the society in the past 25 years for uplifting the children of the not-so privileged segments of the society.

The First Lady called upon all the stakeholders to bring everyone under the fold of right thinking. She said merely enacting new laws could not achieve the desired results.

She said it was the society as a whole which could make the real difference and contribute in achieving the objectives.

She emphasised the need for setting up small groups of motivated persons to spread awareness and bring about attitudinal change about concerns relating to the safety and security of children, especially girls.

Rajouri, April 22
After the successful sale of 800 kg of organic manure prepared from the municipal waste at the Solid Waste Management Project at Thandapani in Sunderbani, the administration is gearing up for another solid waste management plant soon for the Rajouri district.

With thrown open for the general public today, District Development Commissioner Saugat Biswas said, “It’s the first project of the state which involves the stabilisation of organic solid waste through earthworm consumption for the conversion of organic material to worm castings.”

The project at Thandapani village in Rajouri district was commenced on February 1, 2008, and was handed over to the Municipal Committee, Sunderbani, in June 2010. However, it remained non-functional till it was inspected by Saugat Biswas, District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, in July 2012.

Within months, the project was made functional. Provision of electricity and water supply was made for the project by the District Development Commissioner.

Saugat Biswas said the Solid Waste Management Project of Rajouri town was still on hold due to environmental clearance of the selected site and resistance from local villagers.

After the success of vermi-composting project at Sunderbani, vermi-composting project for Rajouri has been finalised to be set up at Kesar Gala near Balli village of Kalakot tehsil, under the Special Task Force (STF), with eco-friendly method for the disposal of municipal waste. We plan to cater to the needs of Kalakote town.

Sougat said, “We are hopeful that the project at Kesar Gala will come up soon and we will not have to transport municipal waste from Rajouri to the far-off Thandapani.”

He said, “The project aims to upgrade the solid waste management system through recycling and composting of the garbage and to propagate the 3R’s System (recycling, reuse and reduction) of the solid waste. 

Jammu, April 22
Kuldeep Khoda, Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) of the State Vigilance Commission, today held first review meeting with senior officers of the organisations.

Vigilance Commissioner Dr RK Jerath, Vigilance Organisation director Owais Ahmed, Vigilance Organisation IGP Alok Puri, Persecution Vigilance director and Vigilance Commission secretary attended the meeting.

Khoda gave a brief profile of the newly constituted State Vigilance Commission (SVC) created under the Jammu and Kashmir State Vigilance Commission Act, to supervise the functioning of the Vigilance Organisation, besides surveillance and advising the government on several related issues.

It was emphasised that the institution of Departmental Vigilance Officers (DVOs), besides other immediate initiatives, will have to be strengthened. It was also emphasised that the Vigilance Organisation should speed up working and follow up with the government about the pending prosecution sanctions.

The director of the Vigilance Organisation briefed about functioning of the organisation. The Chief Vigilance Commissioner said all possible efforts would be taken to make the Vigilance Organisation and State Vigilance Commission effective for good governance and effective public grievance redressal system to exhibit transparency and probity for the good of a common man. 

Jammu, April 22
The Chemistry Department registered an emphatic 11-run win over the Commerce Department in the ongoing Inter-Department Cricket Tournament being played at the University of Jammu (JU) grounds here today.

Batting first after winning the crucial toss, the Chemistry Department managed to accumulate 142 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted quota of overs. Yawer played a fine knock of 37 runs off 32 balls containing four hits to the fence.

Atul and Maheer also chipped in with handy knocks of 18 and 14 runs, respectively. From the Commerce Department, Shabbir, Satwinder, Atul and Nikhil shared a wicket apiece. Chasing 143 runs to win, the Chemistry Department was skittled out for 131 runs in 19.4 overs.

Nikhil played a fighting knock of 37 runs but could not get support from the other end as the wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Nikhil struck three boundaries.

Pawan (18), Shabbir (14) and Rahul (11) were the other notable contributors. From the Chemistry Department, Amnish was the pick of the bowlers with three-wicket haul while Atul, Bhawani and Yawer shared two wickets apiece. Yatinder also chipped in with a wicket. The match was officiated by Suresh Singh, Vijay Dogra and Satpal. 

Jammu, April 22
Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Muthi, celebrated Earth Day. The event was jointly organised by Army Public School, Domana, and Abhay Public School, Muthi, under the overall supervision of GHSS principal Muthi RL Gupta.

Students gave their presentations and put forth their views on saving environment. Students of the Army School presented a skit on the theme ‘Save the Environment’.

Faculty members, including Vijay Sharma, KK Kher, Dr Kulbushan Sharma, Ashok Sharma and Chander Mohan Sharma, also interacted with the students. Later, prizes were distributed among the students, who participated in the essay competition ‘Environmental Changes after Independence’.

RL Gupta highlighted the importance of the Earth Day and asked the students to be eco-friendly. Gupta said afforestation was the only remedy available by which the human being could somehow check pollution under control. — TNS

Katra, April 22
In an effort to promote wresting among the people residing in the far-flung areas of Jammu region, the Rashtriya Rifles Battalion at Sarh in collaboration with the Dangal Committee of Mahore organised a wrestling competition at Mahore tehsil on Monday.

As many as 70 wrestlers from different districts of the state participated in the competition, in which about 25 wrestlers were from Punjab and Haryana.

The Rashtriya Rifles Battalion supported the Dangal Committee by presenting prizes and cash awards. Rashtriya Rifles Commanding Officer said, “Sports play an important role in shaping the personality of the youth and serve as a health elixir for youth and nurture them both mentally and physically.”

He said villagers had a vast potential in every sport and there is a need to channelise the local sports talent by providing them proper sports infrastructure and training support at various sports facilities.

Members of Dangal Committee, Mahore, thanked the Army for smooth and successful conduct of the event.

Jammu, April 22
The Business School (TBS), Bhaderwah Campus, University of Jammu, organised a farewell party ‘Hasta La Vista’. Prof MA Malik, rector, Bhaderwah Campus, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The party was organised by the junior batch of MBA of The Business School, Bhaderwah Campus, and was coordinated by faculty members of the department. The party began with lightening of the lamp by Dr Umesh Choudhary, HoD, MBA Department, followed by different activities like ramp walk, balloon bursting, music chairs, candle lightening, music chairs etc.

Mohsin Akhter and Kanika Sambyal were declared Mr and Ms MBA, respectively. Dr Umesh Choudhary, HoD, MBA Department, wished the seniors students all the success in their future endeavours.

Jammu, April 22
A week-long legal aid and literacy camp concluded at the Dogra Law College here today with the conducting of valedictory function.

Justice Varinder Singh, Judge, J&K High Court, and State Legal Service Authorityexecutive chairman, stressed upon the need of active and functional involvement of law institutions so as to enhance and strengthen the concept of clinical legal education.

He further announced that as per the provisions of the State Legal Service Authority, the issue of starting a legal aid and literacy club would be positively taken up.

Justice Singh appreciated the initiative taken by the college in providing a team of young students to visit the Dadhkhai village in Thatri tehsil and Gandoh so as to undertake comprehensive and systematic field survey for undertaking the study of the marginalised section of the society.

He assured the students that the matter of starting the legal aid clinic at the Dogra Law College for creating a functional legal literacy in the adjoining villages was in the pipeline.

Sheikh Shakeel, advocate, J&K High Court, and Rajni Sehgal, superintendent, Kot Bhalwal Jail, were also present on the occasion.

Gulchain Singh Charak, chairman, Dogra Educational Trust and former minister, Higher Education, who was the chief guest at the valedictory function, assured that the Dogra Educational Trust would provide all possible help to the students for becoming the best legal professionals and for attaining academic excellence.

Later, Charak also honoured Justice Varinder Singh, Sheikh Shakeel and Rajni Sehgal, besides presenting mementoes to six students of the college.

Jammu, April 22
The J&K team bagged as many as 28 medals, including 13 gold, 10 silver and 5 bronze in the 2nd Federation Cup Rugby Championship being played at Kala Bhawan Indoor Sports Stadium, Dhanbad, in Jharkhand.

The team finished runners-up in the sporting event, while Manipur topped the overall medal tally to clinch the title. Zakaria Bhat, Bakhtyar, Firdous, Sahil Noor, Iram Iqbal, Nighat, Farhana, Asiya, Rizwan, Zaheer, Adil bashir, Rukaya and Suhail Dar bagged gold medals.

The silver medal went to Mansoor, Jehangir, Afridi, Tariq, Junaid, Irfan, Waseem, Naseer and Sumaiya. Sumaiya, Sajad, Azhar and Ubaid Lateef clinched bronze medals.

Teams from Delhi, Manipur, UP, MP, Pondicherry, Kerala, Uttrakhand, J&K, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Tripura, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh and host Jharkhand participated in the championship organised by the Jharkhand Thang Ta Association under the aegis of the Thang Ta Federation of India and Jharkhand Olympic Association. The medal winners have also qualified for the Ist Asian Sub Junior and Youth Thang Ta Championship as well as in the 2nd Asian Senior Thang Ta Championship. — TNS

Jammu, April 22
The J&K Volleyball Association is going to conduct the open selection trials for U-14 boys for coaching camp prior to participation in the upcoming 21st Mini National Volleyball Championship for boys and girls to be held at Chennai (Tamil Nadu) from May 25 to May 30.

The trials will be conducted at MA Stadium Sports Complex from April 28 to April 30 from 3 pm onwards daily.

All the affiliated Units/Institutions/ District Volleyball Associations of J&K have been directed to send their outstanding players for the trials.

The players born on or after 1-1-1999 will be eligible to participate in the trials. They should bring original Date of Birth Certificate with photographs affixed issued by the Head of the Education Institution or Medical Certificate issued by the hospital approved by the Government of India (District Hospital, Udhampur) or Municipality Certificate or corporation certificate.

The Coaching camp will be held from May 1 to 21 at MA Stadium in both morning and evening sessions.