Jammu, May 7
An angry mob set on fire a Kashmir-bound truck after a clash broke out between some people and alleged bovine smugglers near Nandani, some 25 km away from the state’s winter capital, in the wee hours on Tuesday morning.

In two separate incidents, police arrested two bovine smugglers and rescued dozens of bovines last night. Besides, another Kashmir-bound truck carrying bovines was smashed by a group of people near Manda, on the outskirts of Jammu city.

Traffic movement on Jammu-Srinagar highway was disrupted, with thousands of commuters, especially ‘baratis’ (who were part of the marriage ceremony) remaining stranded on the highway on a pitch dark night for several hours.

An eyewitness said a group of people stopped a truck carrying bovines near Nandani at around 2 am and asked the driver to get off all animals from the truck, which was objected to by the passenger of the vehicle.

“The verbal spat took a turn when other commuters on the highway endorsed the demand of the group for release of the bovines, which, they alleged, were being illegally transported to Kashmir valley. Two policemen failed to pacify the angry mob, which forcibly got all animals off the truck and later set it on fire,” an eyewitness claimed.

The eyewitness said the driver of the truck claimed he had valid permission from the District Magistrate for transporting the animals from Jammu to Srinagar. “The local people, who joined the angry mob, accused the police of having a well-knit nexus with bovine smugglers who are being encouraged by the policemen for an amount,” the eyewitness said.

Commuters had a harrowing time on the highway as they remained stranded in the traffic jam for several hours.

“We spent virtually the entire night on the highway as we were caught in traffic snarls near Suketar area on the highway at around 2.30 am and reached home at 6 am,” said a commuter.

In a similar incident that took place near Manda, just a kilometre away from Jammu city, unidentified people smashed a truck last night.

After receiving the information, a police team from Pacca Danga police station rushed to the spot and arrested a bovine smuggler. At least 17 animals were rescued from the vehicle.

In yet another incident, a police team intercepted a truck at Tikri checkpost in Udhampur and arrested a bovine smuggler for illegally transporting the animals to Kashmir valley. A total of 21 bovines were rescued in Udhampur last night.

Jammu, May 7
Even as the winter capital continues to face traffic chaos, throwing open of the fifth bridge on river Tawi has been held up. The reason: it hasn’t been formally inaugurated as yet.

The bridge, which will directly connect Bhagwati Nagar with Gandhi Nagar, awaits formal inauguration. It will ease pressure on over-burdened flyover and fourth bridge on Tawi as hundreds of vehicles bound for Akhnoor, Talab Tillo, Poonch and Rajouri will be directed.

Sources said Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) and Roads and Building (R&B) department have completed the work allotted to them, but no dates have been fixed to officially throw it open for vehicular movement. The 500-metre-long bridge is to be inaugurated by Omar. Earlier, Minister for R&B Abdul Majid Wani had announced its inauguration in April.

Officials said there is no response from the Chief Minister as to when he would be available, delaying the inauguration, which has missed about three deadlines.

The construction started in December 2010 at an estimated cost of Rs 93 crore to ease pressure on the existing four bridges on the river, which are facing tremendous stress of traffic due to plying of thousands of vehicles every day. The bridge will provide an alternative route to the drivers moving towards Akhnoor, Muthi, Domana and districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

The new bridge on either side of river Tawi(towards Nehru Market side and Bhagwati Nagar side) will play a key role in ensuring successful diversion of traffic to the new bridge.

JKPCC Executive Engineer Shakti Sagar said, “The inauguration function and date is a subject of concern to R&B department. When they get the consent of the Chief Minister for the inauguration and it is formally opened, it will be made officially functional.”

Sagar said the bridge, along with its connecting approach roads, will provide smooth entry and exit to people and means of transport, thereby significantly easing the current traffic rush in the city.

Chief Engineer, R&B, Tehsim Mustafa, said, “It will be inaugurated soon. We have approached the Chief Minister’s office.”

It will be connected with Warehouse from Satwari via Belli Charana and Bhagwati Nagar. A four-laned Bypass road from Bhagwati Nagar to Akhnoor Road near TV Towers at Muthi having a length of 13 km connecting villages, mainly Seoura, Akalpur, Lower Barnai and Pounichak, is also proposed.

Jammu, May 7
After drawing flak from various quarters for delay in declaration of results of various graduate and post-graduate examinations, Jammu University (JU) today chalked out a strategy to reduce the time gap between conduct of examinations and evaluation of answer scripts.

It has also decided that the evaluation process would be made “more transparent” so as to deliver the results in time and “to the satisfaction” of the students.

“We will further decentralise the examination system so that the results are declared in the shortest possible time. We were facing problems vis-à-vis evaluation of answer scripts by the college teachers. We are adopting a system wherein the college teachers would be asked for more cooperation in this regard,” Prof Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, said.

Prof Ishar, who convened a meeting of heads of various departments of the varsity, said it was the duty of the teachers to conduct examination and evaluate the answer scripts. The meeting was also attended by Controller of Examination, Prof Manoj K Dhar. In an official handout, the university spokesperson said it was also decided that the time gap for various processes be reduced and completed in a target-specific manner with active collaboration of convenors of Board of Studies and heads of various departments of the university. “The meeting was convened to discuss strategies for delivering results of all PG courses in time,” the spokesperson said.

Official information accessed by a student of the varsity under RTI Act has revealed that results of various PG courses were still awaited despite the fact that the examinations for these courses were conducted almost four-five months ago.

“A total of 14 students appeared in Semester I of M Sc Biotechnology examination, which was conducted on December 17 last year. The university is yet to declare the result. Similarly, 11 students appeared for Semester I in PG Biochemistry on December 17, 2012, but the varsity is yet to announce the results,” the RTI reply suggested.

It indicated that there were a total of 12 examinees who took the paper in the PG Microbiology subject for Semester I and the varsity was yet to declare results.

Batote/rajouri, May 7
A motorcyclist died, a pillion-rider and a car-borne couple were seriously injured when a Ramban-bound motorbike (4415-JK02AQ) collided head-on with a car (1709-JK19) at Karol in Ramban this afternoon.

The deceased, Mushtaq Ahmed Malik, 28, died on the spot and pillion-rider Jehangir Ali, 30, was injured. Both are from Chanderkot. The car driver Abdul Lateef and his wife Naseema Begum, 35, of Parnot, Ramban, were injured.

The seriously injured Ali was referred to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu and Naseema was admitted in Ramban Hospital while Lateef was released from the hospital after being given first aid.

Meanwhile, a youth was killed and another was injured in an accident at Rajouri today, when their vehicle hit a truck said to be rashly driven, on Jammu-Poonch highway.

The accident took place at about 3 pm this afternoon, when a car bearing registration number 0220-JK0AL on its way from Rajouri to Jammu had a head-on collision with a truck on the outskirts of Rajouri.

The deceased has been identified as Vishu Gupta of Rajouri and the critically injured identified as Mehtab, who is undergoing treatment at Army hospital at Rajouri.

The police handed over the body of the deceased to his family for last rites, a source said. — OC

Jammu, May 7
Expressing concern over “violations in transfer policy” in the higher education department, National Panthers Students Union (NPSU) today stressed on immediate amendment in the transfer orders which were recently issued.

Addressing a press conference, Partap Singh Jamwal, state president, NPSU, alleged that members of a certain coterie had been managing their postings within the city colleges for quite some time.

He further said recently, the higher education department had issued transfer order in which 143 assistant professors and professors were transferred but most of the postings were made in violation of the transfer policy.

He added that most of the teaching faculty members managing their postings within the city colleges are involved in private tuitions and the students’ community is suffering a lot due to this.

“Some of the high-ups in higher education are involved in this racket and the transfer racket is flourishing with their active connivance,” said Partap, adding that in exchange for these postings in the city colleges, these high-ups are getting some benefits.

He warned the Higher Education Department to immediately implement transfer policy in the department or the National Panthers Students Union will fight tooth and nail against this.

• Partap Singh Jamwal, state president, NPSU, said most of the teaching faculty members managing their postings within the city colleges are involved in private tuitions and the students’ community is suffering a lot due to this.
• “Some of the high-ups in higher education are involved in this racket and the transfer racket is flourishing with their active connivance,” said Partap, adding that in exchange for these postings in the city colleges, these high-ups are getting some benefits.
• He warned the Higher Education Department to immediately implement transfer policy in the department or the National Panthers Students Union will fight tooth and nail against this.

Jammu, May 7
To prevent power theft in the Jammu circle, the Power Development Department (PDD) is going to start the aerial bunched cable (ABC) system in the winter capital in the coming months.

As the temperature is on the rise here, the PDD smells the power theft rising. Under the Reconstructed Accelerated Power Development Reform Programme (RAPDRP), the department has now planned to start the ABC system in the Jammu circle, in which all power distribution cables will be replaced with aerial bunched cable, which will be fully covered and cannot be hooked for power theft.

The department has already started neutral cabling in the city, in which out of three phases, only the neutral is covered.

The proposal for the ABC has been sanctioned and the process of procurement of 1, 300 km cable has been started, but it will be completed after 100 per cent metering in the Jammu circle.

Gurbachan Singh, Superintendent Engineer (SE), PDD, said, “To get rid of the overload due to power theft in the circle, the department has decided to start the ABC system. It will help us properly control the power theft in Jammu.”

“It will be completed within four months after 100 per cent metering in Jammu,” he said.

In the Jammu circle, 60 per cent connections are metered and 40 per cent are yet to be metered. The department does not have meters as yet, as they are planning to go for radio frequency meter, which can be controlled and read from the sub-division office of the PDD. The department had started metering in the state with electro-mechanical meters, then it was replaced with the electronic meters installed with optical port, which stores the data of the use of electricity.

Under the RAPDRP, the department also has a proposal to start a high power distribution system (HVDS) in which mostly 25-100 KVA transformers will be installed to provide electricity to two-three houses. At present, the department is providing 600KVA transformer to 100-1150 houses (according to the power load of the houses).

“By installing the HVDS, less people will suffer in case of the transformer gets damaged. If someone has the power load of 25KVA at home, the department will provide a separate transformer to that family,” said Gurbachan Singh.

“I think the way department is taking initiatives to stop power theft and collecting revenue, we will overcome the deficit budget of the department within three-four years,” he added.

Jammu, May 7
The inter-school tournament for the U-17 boys’ category at the zonal level, organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Rajouri, concluded at Rajouri, Sunderbani, Nowshera and Kalakote, respectively, today.

The tournament was conducted under the overall control of the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports and under the supervision of Mohammad Ayaz Khan, DYSSO, Rajouri.

In kho-kho (boys), Government High School, Thandikassi, emerged victorious against Government High School, Dongi, whereas in the handball event, Government High School, Thandikassi, got the better of Government High School, Muradpur.

At Government Higher Secondary School, Sunderbani, the host school overcame the challenge of Government High School, Tanda-Kangri, in kabaddi. In kho-kho, Government High School, Siot, trounced Government High School, Dhoke-Kangri.

Government High School, Kalideh, drubbed Government High School, Dhoke-Kangri. Similarly, in volleyball, Government High School, Kalideh, outclassed Dhoke-Kangri.

At Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Nowshera, Government High School, Garan, pipped Government High School, Qila Darhal. In kho-kho, Criest High School, Nowshera, edged out Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Nowshera, while in volleyball, Government High School, Laroka, cruised past Government Boys Higher Secondary school, Nowshera.

At Sports Stadium, Kalakote, Government High School, Dhayala, trounced Government High School, Bathera, in kabaddi. In kho-kho, Government High School, Tatapani, got the better of Government Higher Secondary School, Kalakote.

Batote, May 7
The Army, under the aegis of the Counter Insurgency Force (Delta), has been assisting the district civil administration in providing help and relief to the May 1 earthquake victims in Doda district.

According to an Army press communiqué, so far, the Army has distributed 36 tents in the worst affected areas of Doda district. Eight tents have been distributed among the victims at Thalela, eight at Sarna, seven at Sartingal, four at Bhaderwah town (all in Bhaderwah tehsil), six at Doda and three in Gandoh till now.

The soldiers spared these tents for the distressed residents of Bhaderwah. They also provided them with water for drinking and bathing. To increase the patient holding capacity in the hospital, the Army has erected temporary accommodation and constituted medical teams to look for the needy victims and assist them.

The Army has also claimed to have assisted various injured and traumatised persons as far as carrying them to the Sub-District Hospital, Bhaderwah in Army vehicles to get them prompt treatment is concerned.

Jammu, May 7
The Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS), which was likely to introduce doping tests for students participating in the National School Games after the Central Board of School Education (CBSE) had introduced it last year, has failed to make any headway to develop a permanent mechanism for fighting against the problem.

Sources said after the CBSE had introduced doping tests for its students participating in the National School Games organised by the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), the Sports Department of the state, too, felt the need to have this mechanism. The sources said instead of putting in place a full-fledged mechanism to keep a tight vigil on the participants during the competitions, the DYSS made temporary arrangements by deputing medical experts at the venues.

Sources said during the previous edition of the National School Games, 11 CBSE students were tested positive for banned substances. The National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) then wrote to all school boards to engage them in a fight against the menace.

As per data available, the NADA had collected 81 samples from competitors of the CBSE-affiliated schools in the events of wrestling (30), boxing (31) and weightlifting (20), of which 11 were tested positive for banned substances in the coveted sporting event.

“No doubt the sportspersons of the state are not as competitive as their counterparts from other states like Punjab, Karnataka and Delhi, but it still is imperative to introduce full fledged tests not only to ensure dope free competitions but also to make the competitors more accountable,” sources in the DYSS said.

“Another reason behind poor show by our sportspersons is inadequate infrastructural facilities. In fact, the introducing of dope tests is also a part of effective policy on sports that shows the keenness of sports bodies of other states towards the betterment of the sport,” said the sources.

“There is every possibility that the sportspersons after being frustrated from not performing well may take some medicines or substances to increase their stamina, but unfortunately we do not have mechanism to keep a check on it,” maintained the sources.

The District Youth Services and Sports Officer, Jammu, Tirath Ram, told The Tribune, “The department is very much aware about the introduction of doping tests by the CBSE. In order to ensure dope-free competitions, we have also deputed our officials at playing venues to check if any student takes banned substances during the competitions.” 

Jammu, May 7
Government Boys High School (GBHS), Simbal Camp, proved its supremacy by clinching the U-17 kabaddi and kho-kho titles in boys’ section today in the ongoing Inter-School Tournament of the Miran Sahib zone.

The selected probable from the competition will represent Jammu district in the upcoming inter-district tournament. In the kabaddi final, Government Boys High School, Simbal Camp, trounced Government Higher Secondary School, Miran Sahib. In the U-17 kho-kho event, Government Boys High School, Simbal Camp, trounced JK Police Public School, Miran Sahib. Similarly, in the U-14 age group (kho-kho), JK Police Public School had last laugh against Government Middle School, Chohalla.

Government Boys High School, Badyal Brahmana, trounced Government Middle School, Kirpind, in the U-14 Kabaddi final. The matches were officiated by Kulbir Singh, Hardeep Kour, Kuldeep Kour, Harcharan Singh, Harmeek Singh, Gourav, Anit Kour, Nisha Sharma, Narinder Kour, Mulkh Raj, Surinder Kour, Paramjeet Singh, Gurmeet Singh and Ravinder Singh.

Jammu, May 7
The Tribune team today distributed prizes, consolation and participation certificates among the students of Delhi Public School (DPS), Residency Road for ‘The Tribune Cognizance Scrap Book Competition’.

Priya Jain won a laptop as first prize while Falguni Raina, Risheesh Bhat and Jasleen Kaur bagged consolation prizes. The participation certificates were bagged by Shachi Jain, Satyan Bhat, Vishesh Verma, Radhika Dogra, Vaidarbhi Dhar, Vinayak Tiku and Kopal Shrivastava. The parents of Priya Jain, who won a laptop, were also present.

Jammu, May 7
Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Chenani, overwhelmed High School, Dhanas, in the summit showdown to clinch the U-17 boys’ volleyball title in the Zonal Level Inter-School Tournament at Higher Secondary School, Chenani.

In the U-14 category, Middle School, Sangote, got the better of Middle School, Madha, to bag the top honours, while in kho-kho (U-14 boys), High School, Sewna, emerged victorious. In the U-14 kho-kho event in the girls’ section, the title went to High School, Kither-Chirdi, by defeating Government High School, Chenani, in the final.

Higher Secondary School, Chenani, claimed the U-17 boys’ kho-kho title by beating High School, Sewna. The U-17 kabaddi (boys) final event will be played between Higher Secondary School, Chenani, and High School, Marothi.

The wrestling gold in different weight categories was bagged by Varinder Singh, Ajay Kumar, Sanhay Kumar and Shamsher Singh. In all, 320 students, including 263 boys and 57 girls, are participating in the tournament being held under the overall supervision of Usha Kumari, zonal physical education officer, Chenani.

Jammu, May 7
Guru Harkrishan Memorial High School, Simbal, clinched the U-14 and U-17 boys hockey titles today at KK Hakku Astroturf Stadium here in the ongoing District-Level Inter-School Tournament in the discipline of hockey and badminton.

In the U-14 Hockey final, Guru Harkrishan Memorial High School got the better of Army Public School, Miran Sahib, by a solitary goal scored by Mandeep Singh. Similarly, in the U-17 summit clash, Guru Harkrishan Memorial High School edged out Government Higher Secondary School, Gole Gujral, by 5-0 goals. Sarbjeet Singh and Ramandeep Singh scored two goals each while Randeep Singh chipped in with a goal.

In the U-14 badminton finals (girls), Model Institute of Education and Research (MIER), defeated Delhi Public School by 2-0. Earlier, in the semifinals played here, the MIER got the better of Presentation Convent School, while DPS trounced JK Public School.

In the U-17 final, KC Public School beat the MHAC, Nagbani, with utmost ease. In the semifinals played earlier, KC Public School toppled Presentation Convent School, whereas the MHAC, Nagabni, overcame the challenge of JK Public School.

Earlier, Ved Parkash, Deputy Director, Youth Services and Sports, along with the DYSSO Jammu, Tirath Ram, visited the venues and enquired about the facilities being extended by the department.