Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 5: In an unpleasant incident, some unidentified miscreants defaced a newly erected stone plate on the campus replicating inauguration of Jammu University by then Chief Minister of the State, Sheikh Mohd Abdullah.
The incident took place late last night on the eve of birth anniversary of Sheikh Abdullah, who was National Conference founder and grandfather of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The replica stone, erected adjoining the JU Guest House and opposite Law Department, was unveiled by the Chief Minister a few months back.
Taking a serious note of the incident, JU has suspended two watchmen, who were on night duty and also constituted an inquiry committee to look into the matter while an FIR in this connection has also been got registered at Gandhi Nagar Police Station.
A case FIR number 274 under Section 447-A and Section 3 of Public Property Damaging Act has been registered against unidentified miscreants, said SHO Gandhi Nagar, Inspt Paramjeet Singh.
The incident came to light when a University Security Guard heard some noise near the Guest House around 1.30 a m and reached the site. However, before he could reach there, the miscreants had fled the scene after defacing the text on replica plate by stoning it.
On being informed this morning, the JU Vice-Chancellor Prof R D Sharma convened an emergency meeting and directed the Dean Students Welfare to forward a complaint in this regard to Police. Besides, a four-member inquiry committee was also constituted to investigate the matter with immediate effect and submit its report as early as possible. The committee, headed by Prof Rajnikant, comprised of DSW Prof Pankaj Shrivastav, Prof Kulwant Singh and Khem Pal.
The university authorities also ordered immediate suspension of the watchmen on night duty at the JU Guest House and Law Department. The two watchmen namely Baldev and Sham Lal will remain suspended till outcome of the inquiry committee report, says an order by the JU authorities.
Meanwhile, up in arms against the defacement of replica stone, some activists of National Conference Students Union (NCSU), assembled outside JU Main Gate and staged a protest demonstration there. They raised slogans against the JU authorities for their alleged failure in taking action against the mischievous elements.
The protesters were addressed by NCSU vice-president of JU unit, Mahmood Raja, JURSEA general secretary Sunny Babber and others who held the JU authorities responsible for the whole episode and demanded stern action against the accused.
The National Secular Forum (NSF) president of JU unit, Qayoom Malik also condemned the incident and warned a stir if no action is taken against the culprits.
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