VARSITY NOTE
JU all set to check entry of ‘rotten elements’ on Campus

By Nishikant Khajuria

After the incident of a group clash between the activists of ‘rival’ students’ organisations on thhe Campus, the Jammu University security wing has apparently awaken from its deep slumber and efforts are being made to improve law and order in the JU premises.

The University authorities have asked its security wing to strictly check the entry of unwanted outsiders and have also sought the help of local police to check the menace. A black list of ‘rotten elements’ who used to sneak into the Campus, has also been made and directions have been made to throw out such elements.

Some additional security staff is likely to be engaged for a proper vigil on the Campus. Dean Students Welfare JU Prof N A Ganai has reportedly made a request to the Vice Chancellor in this connection which is likely to be accepted by the latter.

It may be recalled that inadequacy of security staff was being listed as a major reason behind the failure to maintain law and order in the JU premises. Presently, the Jammu University has only thirty security guards and four head security guards to man law and order on the Campus.

According to JU Chief Security Officer Mr Harnam Singh, the security personnel have been ordered to keep a strict vigil on the Campus entry points. Some outsiders who used to roam on the Campus, have been identified and directions were given to securitymen to check their entry, he said and added that a few of such elements have been informed to keep away from the Campus.

Steps are also being taken to flush out some outsiders from the JU hostels who are illegally occupying the rooms meant for students from far off areas.

However, the problem is not only of the law and order on the Campus but also the misuse of prestigious education institution as ‘lovers’ point’. It may be mentioned here that the Jammu University, for the past some time, has attained the status of a ‘paradise’ for ‘love birds’ who frequently dash on the Campus to enjoy the moments of romance.

In this connection, Mr Harnam Singh further informed that entry for vehicles of outsiders has been banned during the morning and evening time. This step has been taken to check the misuse of parked vehicles by these ‘love seekers’

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The list of candidates selected for the post of Lecturer in the Jammu University, was issued on October 17. The selection of these Lecturers has been finalised by the Vice-Chancellor Prof R R Sharma on behalf of the Syndicate which has empowered the former to take final decision on the selection of candidates.

Of the total fifteen selected Lecturers, four have been taken in Directorate of Distance Education, two in Department of Law, two in Department of Botany and one each in the Departments of Statistics, Management, Sanskrit, Chemistry, Mathematics, Urdu and Geology. Among the four selected for Directorate of Distance Education, one each have been taken in Education, Commerce, Political Science and English.

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The Jammu University squads for Inter-University swimming and Judo championships, will leave for Gwallior on October 18 and Rohtak on October 19, respectively.

As per Assistant Director Physical Education, JU, Mr Madan Mohan Sharma, three swimmers representing Jammu University are Devinder Singh from PG Department of Mathematics; Lakhveer Singh and Shishupal from MAM College.

The members of judo team are Shabnam Kour, Anita Devi, Rajni Kumari, Ruchi Vaid ( from Women College Gandhi Nagar); Nisha Gupta and Supriya Sharma( from Women College Parade); Kuljeet Kour of PG Department of Physics; Rahul Sharma, Sohan Singh, Ravinder Singh (from GGM Science College); Krishan Singh of Degree College Kathua; Vikram Krishan, Sarabjeet Singh (from MAM College) and Kuljeet Singh from PG Department of Sociology.

Physical Education teachers threaten protest rallies

Excelsior Correspondent

POONCH, Oct 17: Almost all the physical teachers working in different educational institutions of the district have decided to hold protest rallies and demonstration at district headquarters if the District Youth Services and Sports Officer does not withdraw the transfer orders issued by him vide No DYSSP/C-J/1385-1455 dated 13-10-2000.

A spokesman of the Physical Teachers Association said the transfers have been made on partial basis just to give benefit to the touts of the Department who remained attached in the office most of the time.

Apart from a few beneficiaries, the rest of all the Physical Education Teachers have been victimized and thrown away to far flung areas of the district where the militancy is at its peak.

They alleged further that transfers were vague and illegal. These have been executed without taking into consideration the norms of the department, that was why the concerned officer has rushed to Jammu to avoid fury of the affected teachers.

A big deputation of 60 male and female physical education teachers met the District Development Commissioner and apprised him of the whole situation.

In the meanwhile the District Development Commissioner Poonch has ordered the District Youth Services and Sports Officer to keep the transfer order in abeyance till final solution was found out.

Agnishekhar to join camp college students’
relay fast today

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 17: In a significant development, various Kashmiri Pandit organisation have announced to actively support the ongoing agitation of camp college students who have been protesting against the State Government’s decision to merge camp colleges with Jammu University.

Daily one member from any of these organisations will join the chain hunger strike being observed by these agitating students for the last four days, announced Dr Agnishekhar, convener of Panun Kashmir during an emergent meeting of various Kashmiri Pandit organisations with the camp college students. He volunteered himself to join the relay hunger strike tomorrow.

During, the meet, which was attended by various prominent leaders of the community including Amar Nath Vaishnavi, Ashok Braru, R K Raina, O N Trishal, Opender K Pathak, Madhusudan Bhat, Kuldeep Raina, Kamal Bagati, Basant Kumar, Rajesh Handoo and Rakesh Koul, the camp college students were assured full support in their ongoing struggle against the order of merger.

Dr Agnishekhar, while speaking on the occasion, alleged that after ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley, the National Conference Government’s decision to merge camp colleges with Jammu University is an attempt of administrative cleansing of the community.

He said initially the Kashmiri Pandits were dislodged of their homes and hearth and now the Government authorities under the leadership of Dr Farooq Abdullah were bent upon to deprive the migrant youth of their legitimate rights with University of Kashmir. Dr Agnishekhar further alleged that the decision of merger will pave the way to convert entire Valley into an Islamic State.

Meanwhile, the ongoing chain hunger strike being observed by the camp college students in front of the Divisional Commissioner’s office, entered into fourth day today. This morning, the chain was taken over by Yograj Wangoo, Umesh Koul, Sunaina Pandita and Anjli Pandita.

Meanwhile, senior PDP leader Mr A K Jotshi has extended his support to the agitating camp college students and appealed the State Government to revoke the order of merger immediately.

Baramulla court complex inaugurated
Computer link for J&K districts: Farooq
'Pendency of court cases brought down substantially', says CJ

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 17: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today said all district headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir would be connected with computer networking for bringing in efficiency in administration.

Speaking after inaugurating the district court complex at Baramulla this afternoon, the Chief Minister said Panchayats too would be brought in the network in the second phase.

Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Mr Justice B P Saraf, Mr Justice N A Kakroo, senior judicial officers, senior officers and advocates were present on the occasion.

Dr Abdullah stressed for expeditious disposal of cases, saying delay in justice delivery system is detrimental to the interests of litigant public. He also referred to delay and red tapism in Government offices and said 'each one of us has certain responsibilities towards society and unless we fulfill these we can't prosper'.

He said judiciary, executive and legislature are the three vital pillars of democracy and every democrat craves for harmonious relations between the three organs. 'Independence of judiciary is imperative in a democracy', he added.

Assuring of creating adequate infrastructure for judiciary subject to availability of resources, the Chief Minister called for attitudinal change towards Government assets and hoped that people would treat these as their own property and help in their upkeep.

The Chief Minister said the State has undergone abnormal phase during past several years and there were some vested interests that are inimical to return of peace for their personal ends. Such elements want the pot boiling and it is necessary to frustrate their designs to steer the State to peace and progress, he said.

Responding to the points raised by the members of Baramulla Bar Association, the Chief Minister said a committee comprising the district judge, law secretary and president of the Bar would prioritize the works to be taken up in the new court complex. He asked the JKPCC to work out estimates for construction of suitable accommodation for petition writers as per the grandeur of the complex and said adequate infrastructure would be created for court at Pattan.

Dr Abdullah announced a grant of Rs 50,000 for purchase of books for the library of district court Baramulla.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Justice said the condition of judiciary in Jammu and Kashmir is far more satisfactory than the rest of the country despite prevailing situation. He said punctuality in all the courts has been restored. Most of the judges remain punctual and adhere to the court timings strictly. He said the subordinate judiciary has undergone a radical change, adjournments have been reduced, working at all levels has been geared up and with proper docket management the grim scenario of delayed justice has completely changed.

Referring to the pendency in courts, he said this is fast going down as the old cases are getting top priority. In the High Court, he said the pendency of cases on January 1, 2000 was 71003, which have come down to 36711 on Oct. 1, 2000. He hoped that pendency is expected to come down to 30 per cent within next three months if the present tempo is maintained.

Mr Justice Saraf said the working and performance of the subordinate judiciary has also improved remarkably and pendency of old and new cases has come down substantially. The pendency of criminal and civil cases in all the courts of the State on 1st of September 2000 was 100764, of which only 9818 cases are more than three years old. He expressed confidence that in the first year of the new millennium, there will be no case older than three years and that will be an ideal situation envisaged by section 18 of the State Constitution.

The Chief Justice said that all vacant posts in subordinate judiciary have been filled up, as one third of these were unmanned in the beginning of the current year. He said a system has been evolved to ensure that a post is filled up the day it falls vacant. He expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for full support and cooperation to the judiciary.

He also stressed the need for adequate infrastructural facilities for courts in the State and sought adequate funds for the purpose. He said information technology is being introduced in courts in a big way in a phased manner.

Mr Justice Saraf announced a grant of Rs 50,000 for purchase of books for the library of district court Baramulla.

Earlier, the District and Sessions Judge, Baramulla read out the welcome address.

The Chief Minister along with the Chief Justice inaugurated the new court complex constructed at a cost of Rs 73.82 lakhs. The complex houses the courts of the district and sessions judge besides the sub judge and has provision for library, bar rooms, etc.

CM honours Ghulam Nabi Sheikh
Recording studios planned for Srinagar, Jammu

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 17: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah today stressed for setting up of recording studios at Srinagar and Jammu for popularizing rich music of three distinct regions of the State.

Honouring noted ghazal singer, Ghulam Nabi Sheikh at 'Mehfil-e-Ghazal' organised by the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages at Tagore Hall here this evening, the Chief Minister said the audio-cassettes of noted and upcoming singers of Jammu and Kashmir has many takers abroad, where the people of the State are settled.

He said honouring art is a good gesture of the society towards artists, who enthrall people with their gifted art of music, and hoped that the talent of instrumentalists too would be acknowledged.

Praising cultural artists of the state information department for their talent, the Chief Minister emphasised close co-ordination between the cultural academy and the information department for giving fillip to glorious culture of the State.

The series of Mehfil-e-Ghazal has been organised to honour and listen to the famous singers of the State. The academy is featuring Vijay Malla and Kailash Mehra also in the Tagore Hall, which has been the venue of cultural activities after many years.

The Minister for Industries and Commerce, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal and the Minister for Forests, Peerzada Ghulam Ahmed Shah besides several legislators and music lovers were present on the occasion.

The secretary of the academy, Mr Balwant Thakur gave resume of cultural activities being organised by the academy in near future.

Ghulam Nabi Sheikh presented many famous ghazals in Kashmiri and Urdu, which were received with much applause by the audience.

CJ treats news report as PIL

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 17: The Chief Justice of J&K High Court, Dr. B. P. Saraf today suo-moto took cognizance of news appearing in a section of the local press about the illness and deteriorating health of a detenue in Kot Balwal Jail and treated the news report as Public Interest Litigation.

Two local newspapers today published the statement of the father of a detained youth Tariq Hussain Bhat expressing concern over his deteriorating health condition.

In an order passed after treating the news report as PIL, the Chief Justice ordered issuance of notices to Secretary to Government, Home Department, Additional Director General of Prisons, Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag and Jammu and Superintendent of Jail, Kot Balwal and asked them to submit a detailed report about the case and physical condition of the detenue, Tariq Hussain Bhat, S/o Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, R/o Dandi, Anantnag, within two weeks.

He also directed the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu to immediately visit the Jail personally and ascertain the condition of health of the detenue and submit a report to this court on 20th October. He will get the detenue examined by the Principal, Government Medical College, Jammu and ensure proper treatment forthwith, if he is found to be seriously ill, as alleged.

Bunkers for civilian population in Kargil district completed

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Oct 17: The Minister of State for Home, Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone assured Mr Aziz Mohammad Qari in the Legislature Council today that the matter for fully compensating the loss suffered to the property as a result of shelling across the border during Kargil conflict in various parts of the district will be taken up with the central government.

Speaking on the resolution moved by the member that the displaced persons of district Kargil be paid full compensation of their property damaged during 1999 Kargil conflict, said that a comprehensive relief package was announced in August last year where under Rs. 20,000 were provided to each family for construction of bunkers in villages which have come under heavy border shelling.

Mr Lone said that Ex-gratia relief to NOKs of those killed @ Rupees one lakh per death case and 50 percent of the loss suffered to property subject to maximum of Rupees one lakh is also being provided to the victims of border shelling. Besides, free ration @ 7 kg of rice and 2 kg of Atta was provided to each person per month till May this year to such families whose crops were damaged fully. Cash assistance @ Rs. 200/- per person per month was also provided to these families. In addition to this, 10 litres of k. oil was also provided free of cost. Besides, cash assistance for fodder @ Rs. 150 per large animal per month and Rs. 30 for small animal per month subject to a maximum of Rs. 1000/- per month to the families residing in severely affected villages, where it has not been possible for farmers to grow crops, was also provided. He said construction of bunkers for civilian population in Kargil have been completed..

The Minister said that the Dy. Commissioner has been authorised to pay house rent @ Rs.200/- per moth to the families residing in 16 most vulnerable villages in Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors if the circumstances compel them to shift to other safer places.

The Minister said that 11,000 families from the border areas in Jammu division are still living as migrants and these families are provided relief till date.

Later, the member on the assurance of the Minister, withdrew the resolution.

Mr D K Kotwal, Mr C L Khajuria and Syed Firdous also spoke on the resolution.

Strictures against IO Ex-Storekeeper acquitted

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct. 16: Special Judge Anticorruption Jammu Vikas Kant Gupta has acquitted Rajinder Prashad the then Storekeeper Irrigation Division Jammu from the charges of having assets disproportionate to his known source of income.

In the 18 pages acquittal judgement Mr Gupta took serious note against Investigating Officer (IO) Swami Raj who conducted investigation in this case and observed that the complainant who filed complaint against the accused regarding disproportionate assets has not been cited or examined as witness. The house as per Mr K K Gupta who conducted preliminary verification was a single storey house which was incomplete but the house assessed is shown to be two storeyed complete structure, certain documents regarding the private loan produced by the accused before the investigating officer but the IO though he had referred same in his final report, had not relied upon them as he did not think it legal to consider those documents.

The salary statement of the accused have not been obtained from the office where the accused had worked during this period and are not as per the acquittance roll but have been reported from the service bok which did not reflect increase of allowances sanctioned by the Government from time to time.

The IO did not check the Agriculture income of the accused. It seems that the investigations officer when he started investigation, had only one thing in this mind as how to prove that the accused was having assets disproprionate to his known source of incoem and in this contest he even did not consider his known sources of income. "The Court observed adding that the prosecution has miserably failed to bring guilt home to the accused who is accordingly acquitted.

Advocate S C Bali appeared for the accused whereas K S Charak public prosecutor appeared for the Vigilance Organisation, in this case.

While acquitting the accused Mr Vikas Gupta advised the Investigating Officer while they investigating a case should take on record whatever documents the accused makes available in connection with the case. They should considered those documents and even if they reject the same the documents should invariably place on record so as to enable the court to consider the same during the trial. The record during the investigation rejects those documents ar never annexed with the challan making their consideration not possible by the court and making the prosecution case looks suspicious.

Shivashish presents emotions in his painting

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Oct 17: A three days exhibition of painting of Mr Shivashish concluded here today at Abhinav Art Gallery. A large number of people visited the exhibition and appreciated works of the Mr Shivashish.

Shivashish final year student of the B.F.A of Applied Arts School had organised two exhibitions of his painting in Jammu in November 1994 and 1997.

A budding painter, Mr Shivashish has awarded with Junior Talent Search Scholarship Award by Government of India in 1990-1996, He was also awarded with Delhi State Merit Award in painting in 1995. In 1999, he won first prize in inter college poster competition organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Social Forestry Project. He also won first prize in inter college painting competition organised by the NSS, Jammu. In 1997, 1999 he was awarded with Merit Scholarship by Institute of Fine Arts, Jammu. From 1997 to 2000, he was awarded with scholarship by Vision Resources, New Delhi.

Mr Shivashish has participated in various camps and painting exhibitions. He had participated in Water Colour Technical camp organised by late Mr Bimal Dass Gupta. He also participated in junior artist camp at Hussain-Ki-Saraye, Faridabad organised by noted painter M.F Hussain. He also attended demonstration and lecture by Mr Jatin Dass and participated in Kala Mela at New Delhi.

In Shivashish words "basically my compositions are abstract, colours seen in nature played of its own technique. Irregular forms juxtaposed in the paintings in a creative and vivid effect. Rearranged figures, forms seen in the nature, surroundings played a great role in bringing inner satisfaction to me. Textures of various types observed subconsciously retained in the mind reflect obviously and helps generate creative ideas".

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