Jammu, July 15
Jammu University security officials today closed all the gates of the university for hours this morning, demanding action against the students who beat the security officer last night.

According to security officials, Anil Sharma, a botany scholar, along with his two friends, Naseeb Ali of Urdu department and Himanshu, a Law student, entered the residential complex of the university at 2 am, and told Keval Krishan, a security guard on duty, that he wanted to meet Jai Kumar, Special Secretary. When the officer stopped him, he started beating the officer.

Keval Krishan called the Chief Security Officer Sarveshwar Dubey, but the boys misbehaved with the Chief as well and slapped him too. Anil Sharma was drunk and he was misbehaving with the officer.

While protesting against the incident, all the security officers gathered outside the main gate of the university and locked all the gates of the university for more than two hours.

They were demanding strict action against the scholar who misbehaved with and beat the security official.

"We were demanding suspension and arrest of Anil Sharma. When the university issued his suspension, we opened all the gates," said Gurdeep Chowdhary, Assistant Security Officer, Jammu University.

"The police has not arrested him yet, and if the police does not arrest him till the morning, we will again close all the gates of the university. His conduct is unpardonable," he added.

The delegation of the security officers also met the Vice-Chancellor (VC) Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, where the VC ordered the university officials to suspend the scholar and constitute an inquiry committee.

The university administration has suspended Anil Sharma and ordered an inquiry.

An FIR has been registered at warehouse police post against the students, under sections 506/341 and 323 of RPC. The police said a manhunt is on, and it will arrest Anil Sharma very soon.

Jammu, July 15
The Kathua police seized 90 intoxicant capsules and arrested a drug peddler identified as Janmesh Kumar resident of W No 6, Hiranagar. Acting on a tip-off the police laid a naka at cremation ground, Hiranagar and apprehended one person namely Janmesh Kumar in suspicious condition. During search, the police recovered 90 capsules of Parvan Spas from his possession. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered at Hiranagar police station.

Drug peddler held

The Kathua police today seized 90 intoxicant capsules and arrested drug peddler being involved to supply illegal consignment to the youths in the adjoining areas of the district.

The accused has been identified as Janmesh Kumar, a resident of Ward No. 6, Hiranagar.

The police laid down a naka at Hiranagar and apprehended the accused. During his personal search, the police recovered 90 parvan spas capsule from his possession. A case FIR No. 93/2013 under Sections 8/21/22, NDPS Act, stands registered at PS Hiranagar against the accused.

Bovine smuggling bid foiled

The Batote police today foiled a bid of bovine smuggling during its routine checking on the national highway and seized vehicles and rescued 26 bovine animals which were illegally being carrying in two separate vehicles towards the Kashmir valley.

Reports said the police laid a naka on the national highway and during checking, the police intercepted one Tata Mobile, bearing registration number JK02AV-3905, loaded with five bovine animals which were illegally being carrying towards the Valley. The bovine and vehicle were seized by the police and case to this effect stands registered at the Batote police station.

Similarly, in another case, the police during its checking intercepted a truck, bearing registration number JK14A-5797, which was on the way from Doda towards the Kashmir valley. During the search operation, 21 bovine animals were found loaded in it which had been rescued. A case under Sections 188 RPC, 3 PC Act, was registered at the Batote police station.

Minor girl's killer nabbed

The Doda police today arrested Tirath Singh, a resident of Nalthi of Bhaderwah tehsil, who was involved in the kidnapping and killing of a class V student, Kajal Devi (11), of the same village.

After the recovery of girl's body on July 13, Sections 302/376 of the RPC were added to Sections 363,109 of the RPC against him. The accused has reportedly admitted his involvement in the rape and subsequent killing of the girl. The girl's disappearance and the alleged failure of the police to find her had triggered a series of demonstrations by residents in Bhaderwah town.

Jammu, July 15
Minister of State for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan today paid a surprise visit to the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Jammu, and took stock of the functioning of various sections of the directorate.

During the inspection, the minister found four officials absent from duty and ordered the director, Health Services, Jammu, for their suspension and attachment with the directorate office with immediate effect.

He also sought explanation from 41 staff members of the controller stores office and other sections of the directorate office, Jammu, who came late.

The minister also paid surprise visit to the deputy directorate office of Indian System of Medicines (ISM), Jammu, and found three officials absent from duty. He issued orders for their suspension and attachment with the directorate office of the ISM.

Shabir while securitising the records of the sections cautioned the officers concerned to be careful with their duties so that public work does not suffer.

The health minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure their frequent surprise checks of subordinate offices and ensure that no official or officer remains absent from duties. He also instructed providing hassle-free treatment facilities to the patients in the hospitals, besides covering all the pregnant mothers and neonates under the benefits of the NRHM.

Jammu, July 15
Female two-wheeler riders largely continue to be without helmets while traffic police personnel seldom take any action against them.

In most parts of the city, college and school-going girls could be seen zooming around without consideration to their safety despite clear directions by the traffic police that two-wheeler riders should wear crash helmets.

At times, riders could be seen talking on mobile phones and roaming around without the helmet, a leading cause of accidents and fatalities on road.

“There is an opinion that females think the helmet is an unnecessary accessory and feel uncomfortable with it. This is a misplaced notion and the authorities need to take action against such people and raise awareness among them,” said Aruna Sharma, a resident of Pamposh Colony, Janipur.

Sakshi Khajuria, a resident of Roop Nagar, said, “I feel uncomfortable while wearing a helmet.”

Meenu Sharma, a student of Jammu University, said, “Earlier, I used to wear a helmet, but due to that, my hair always got clumsy, so I now don’t wear it.”

Talking to The Tribune, SSP (traffic) Manmohan Singh said, “Helmets are necessary for everyone to wear, even girls, as they act as saviours for people at the time of accidents. We impose challans on all those who break this law.”

The statements given by officials are far from truth. Most females are seen violating the rules and the authorities are not doing anything in this regard.

SP (south) Jammu Rajeshwar Singh denied the police is lenient towards the fair sex, saying a fine is imposed on anyone caught violating the rules. “We impose fines on females too when they violate the rules. As women are careful and sensible drivers, they do wear helmets,” he said.

Singh said the notion that only males are made to pay for violation of traffic rules is wrong.

Jammu, July 15
The Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, is planning to set up a district level sports school (DLSS) in every district in the country in the next 10 years.

These schools will be set up in a public-private partnerships (PPP) mode, except in the remote and disturbed areas, where PPP projects may not be feasible. In such districts, the existing Navodaya schools are proposed to be upgraded and where this is not possible, new institutions will have to be set up.

Sources said if Navodaya schools do not exist, or cannot become the district level sports centre (DLSC) for any reason, the department has proposed to fund the cost of the school entirely under this scheme. Sources said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has mooted special programmes for 102 schools in North East, J&K, and other such areas.

Sources said the salaries of teachers and establishment expenditures were also sought to be borne under the scheme of Navodaya Vidyalayas and/or other programmes of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD).

Pertinently, the PPP projects will be broadly based on the similar scheme of the Ministry of Human Resources for setting up model schools at the block level. All administrative control of these schools will vest with the Ministry of HRD.

It was also decided to introduce a systematic identification of talented sportspersons at a very early age (6-8 years) followed by sustained training and development over a prolonged period to enhance their skills. The effort would mainly focus on rural areas as the vast majority of sportspersons come from rural backgrounds.

As per the data available, there are 272 districts in the country which are declared Backward while 106 districts are declared affected by Naxalite violence. 90 districts in the north east and 12 districts in Kashmir and Ladakh are part of the Special Category states/areas.

In other districts, the ministry is working on modalties to run a Centrally-sponsored scheme in which the state share will be 25 per cent of the capital costs in normal districts and 10 per cent of the costs in special category states/districts. These schools are expected to follow the pattern of central/Navodaya schools for their educational curriculum.

In the remaining 256 districts, the schools and the DLSC can be set up as a PPP with the viability gap funding not exceeding than 40 per cent of the total capital costs.

On The Cards The District Level Sports School will be set up in PPP mode. The projects will be based on the similar scheme of the Ministry of Human Resources for setting up model schools at the block level. All administrative control of these schools will vest with the Ministry of HRD. To introduce a systematic identification of talented sportspersons at a very early age (6-8 years) followed by sustained training and development over a prolonged period to enhance their skills. The ministry is working on modalties to run a Centrally-sponsored scheme in which the state share will be 25 per cent of the capital costs in normal districts and 10 per cent of the costs in special category states/districts.

Jammu, July 15
The state government has decided to install solar power plants at every district and sub-district hospital of the state to provide health institutions a dependable power supply system.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Science and Technology and Information Technology Feroz Ahmed Khan, after inaugurating a solar power plant (SPP) at Sarwal hospital here today.

Minister of State for Health Shabir Ahmed Khan was also present at the inaugural function.

The 20KW solar plant has been installed by the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) of the Science and Technology Department at a cost of Rs 49 lakh which will augment the power requirement of the hospital round the clock.

Feroz Ahmed Khan said the government was keen to harness new and renewable energy potential in the state and use it as an instrument to improve the socio-economic condition of the people.

He said the state government had decided to install solar plants at all district and sub-district hospitals to make available round-the-clock source of energy to these institutions.

He stressed upon the Health Department to maintain close liaison with the Science and Technology Department and provide feedback about the functioning of the solar plant installed in various hospital buildings.

Minister of State for Health, in his address, said with the installation of the solar power plant, the hospital would get uninterrupted power supply round the clock and help in improving health services.

He said Gandhi Nagar hospital would also be provided with this facility to overcome the problem of power crisis.

He said all the District Hospitals, Public Health Centres, Community Health Centres will also be provided with solar power plant facilities.

Jammu, July 15
A group of Korean students from various universities of Korea, who are on a visit to India, along with the students of University of Jammu on Monday presented a colourful variety of programme depicting varied culture of Korea and India.

Korean song, dance, martial arts and a skit were major attractions of the programme, which was organised by the Department of Students Welfare in the Brig Rajinder Singh auditorium. Students of the Jammu University also presented dance and song items, which were highly appreciated by the Korean students.

Lida Singh Ishar, wife of Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, who is the Vice-Chancellor of University of Jammu, was the chief guest on the occasion.

Lida Singh Ishar, who evinced keen interest in the cultural bonanza of the two countries, complimented the student artistes for their captivating performance and hoped that the budding artistes of Jammu would get inspiration from the performing students.

Lida Singh Ishar said exchange of art was imperative for exposing youngsters, particularly the student community to rich ethos and culture of various countries.

Later, the visiting students were also presented trophy by the chief guest.

Earlier, Neeru Sharma, chairperson, Campus Cultural committee, presented her welcome address.

Shailender, associate dean, presented formal vote of thanks.

Among others present on the occasion were Prof NK Tripathi, Dean Students Welfare, Jasbir Singh, Dawood Iqbal Baba, co-coordinator, All Campuses.

Jammu, July 15
J&K National Panthers Party (JKNPP) MLA Harsh Dev Singh today alleged that the transfer policy in Education Department followed in the Jammu province was highly flawed.

Singh said the Education Department needs to explain reason for the inordinate delay of 11 months caused in the adjustment of promotee Masters of Jammu region. He said whereas their counterparts in Kashmir region were adjusted several months back, the adjustment orders of Jammu-based Masters were kept pending, thereby prejudicially affecting their promotion prospects as well.

Flaying the criteria adopted for adjustment of the said Masters, Harsh Dev questioned the logic and rationale behind changing the districts of promoted masters in all districts, despite availability of vacancies in their parent districts.

He castigated in particular the transfer/adjustment of Masters of Udhampur district to erstwhile Doda district, despite huge vacancy position in Udhampur. He pointed out that 76 promotee were ordered to be adjusted in erstwhile Doda district, despite the fact that there were more than 100 vacancies of Masters in the district.

He said majority of the said vacancies existed in the remote and backward areas of Ramnagar, Dudu Basantgarh, Ghordi and Majalta blocks. 

Jammu, July 15
Yes Bank, in association with the National Skill Development Council (NSDC) and the state government, has successfully completed the training of its first batch of students from the state enrolled under project 'Udaan'.

It intends to bring about a positive change in the employment opportunities and skills set for the youth of the state through an action-oriented agenda, thereby helping them to significantly enhance their employment prospects.

The project plans to provide technical skills and consequently employ approximately 40,000 youth from the state over a five-year period, in key-high growth sectors. The programme is targeted at providing career opportunities to the talented youth with appropriate training.

The first batch of the bank’s newly trained youth completed a comprehensive six-month training programme, including a three-month classroom and three-month on-the-job training, at various branches. As many as 19 students have been absorbed by the bank and will be employed as branch service partners at various locations.

Deodutta Kurane, group president, Human Capital Management, Yes Bank said, “Project 'Udaan' is truly a remarkable initiative to identify and develop talent amongst the youth in J&K. The efforts of the National Skill Development Corporation are truly commendable, especially the way it has managed to reach out and touch a cord with the youth. 

Rajouri, July 15
For the welfare and development of Rajouri district, a memorandum has been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Rajouri, Faqir Chand Bhagat, by a delegation under the chairmanship of senior Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) leader Shahzad Khan.

The delegation has asked to deliver the memorandum to Governor NN Vohra.

The PDP leader has expressed grief over the state of affairs in the health sector as there is no trauma ambulance to cater to highway accidental cases. Lack of trauma ambulances has resulted into loss of many innocent lives.

A foot bridge is also required to be constructed over the Rajouri river adjoining the Naban mohallah to the highway which will shorten the distance for locals, old and ailing citizens.

Shahzad had demanded the construction of circular footpath on the river banks from the Army through the Tariq Bridge culminating at the Mini Stadium.

He said the people of Rajouri and Poonch were economically dependent on livestock for their livelihood. People pasture their livestock on higher reaches, but there was no arrangement of any trauma ambulance for these peoples during any natural eventuality, Shahzad said. He said there was already an air strip in the heart of the town but the need of the hour was to improve the air facilities for people of the town.

He said the Municipal Corporation was ineffective as the garbage of the town was being disposed of in the river which was a threat to flora and fauna. He said the Kheora bus stand neither has passenger sheds nor toilet facilities for the passengers, causing a lot of inconvenience to passengers, especially old, infirm and women.

Jammu, July 15
Evangelical Church defeated St Peter’s Church by two wickets in a thrilling final to clinch the Inter-Church Cricket Championship being played at the Alexander Memorial School ground.

St Peter’s Catholic Church won the toss and elected to bat first. The team accumulated 125 runs for the loss of seven wickets in allotted quota of 12 overs. Ravi was the top scorer with 36 runs, including four sixes, while Rajesh Gill contributed 29 runs.

Sonu Bhatti was the pick of the bowlers for Evingical Church with a three-wicket haul while Tuffy and Rippan claimed two wickets apiece.

In reply, Evangelical Church required 10 runs in the last over of the match. It was Danny who hit consecutive sixes to secure an exciting victory. Rippan also played a fine knock of 35 runs while Jerry and Rajan scored 25 and 20 runs, respectively.

For St Peter’s Church, Ravi was the chief destroyer with three wickets while Neetu and Avinash shared two wickets each.

Jerry was adjudged the man of the match while Ambrose and Ravi were declared man of the series and best batsman, respectively. Nitu Khokher was adjudged best bowler.