CU to Jammu almost done

Jammu people likely to get an I-D gift

*JK leaders pleaded with PM that trouble-monger in both the regions were out to stoke sentiments on Central University issue.

*Omar has suggested PM that let the Centre announce two Central Universities in the state, one for each region.

*Jammu Bandh call has been given for August 10, to protest proposal of shifting Central University to Kashmir.

JAMMU, AUG 7: People of Jammu are likely to get Independence Day gift this year as the establishment of two Central Universities, one in Jammu while the other one in Kashmir region is almost done. This is authenticated by the yesterday’s development in which Revenue Minister; Raman Bhalla has acquired the completed details about the land situated at Samba proposed for the establishment of Central University.

Bhalla visited the proposed site at Samba and now the Govt is ready with details of 3916 kanal land which has been proposed for setting up Central University in Jammu.

However, as per the Central University Act, Jammu and Kashmir State can get only one university but as the state enjoys special status under Article-370, so the J&K will be given special treatment and will get two universities under special status.

Kattu Satya in its August 7 issue has published a detailed report under title, “Only Article-370 can save J&K from burning again’ in which all the possibilities and situation has been highlighted.

Sources said that the Central Government is not ready to take any chance which can give any kind of room to possible trouble on the basis of regionalism as it had surfaced over Amarnath land controversy. Last year, the issue of land transfer for the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) in Kashmir had set off agitations in the two volatile regions.

After Amarnath land controversy, the state under new regime headed by Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah has witnessed sudden spurt in violence, protests and agitations over Shopian double rape and murder case followed by allegations by PDP dragging the name of Omar Abdullah in the list of sex scandal suspects.

As now in Jammu, student organizations, Jammu based politicians; traders etc have unanimously decided to launch mass agitation under the banner of Central University Andolan Samiti (CUAS). In this regard Jammu Bandh call has been given for August 10, over the proposal and attempts of shifting Central University to Kashmir region.

Centre as well as State Govt.’s have realized that if the matter is not handled properly, it could spark massive protest demonstrations firstly in Jammu and in reaction some trouble creators in Valley will definitely try their best to create trouble in Kashmir and Opposition party PDP could add fuel to fire in a bid to destabilize the NC-Cong coalition Govt.

Earlier, it was announced that a Central University will be setup in Jammu while the IIM in Kashmir. But as soon as recruitment drive for the proposed university was started from the camp offices in Srinagar and Jammu last week, upon which Jammu people started bracing up for agitation, worried Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah rushed to Delhi to convey that a fresh trouble could erupt over this any time.

Omar accompanied by his father Farooq Abdullah, union minister for new and renewable energy resources, Saif-ud-Din Soz, state Congress Chief, Ministers and MPs carefully chosen to represent both the regions, met Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Manmohan Singh on this issue on Monday.

The J&K leaders pleaded with Singh that trouble-monger in both the regions were out to stoke sentiments on this issue. Omar’s suggestion to the prime minister was that let the centre announce two central universities in the state - one each for Jammu and Srinagar regions. Alternatively, he proposed that the university have campuses in both the regions.

Day before, Jammu based ministers in a joint press conference at Jammu have maintained that two Central Universities would be set up in Jammu and Kashmir, one in Jammu and another in Kashmir and the State Government has decided to lay the foundation stone of the first university in the Jammu region.

Political Advisor to CM, Devender Rana has told reporters that the state government has taken up with the Centre that there should be two Central Universities in J&K and they assured that two universities will be set up in the state, one in Jammu and the other in Kashmir.”

Rana’s announcement, made after the group of ministers’ meeting with people in Jammu, is likely to diffuse tension in Jammu, where political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), students and Bar Association had joined hands for launching an agitation on the issue.

Relevant to mention here that on July 16, 2007 (Sunday), Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Manmohan Singh had said that he hoped one of the intended 30 central universities would be set up in J&K to give a fillip to higher education system in the state. He was speaking at Jammu University where he was presented an honorary Doctorate of Letters (D. Litt), Dr Singh had said while the State Government had taken new initiatives to improve the educational system, “much more needs to be done, both in terms of access as well as the quest for excellence”.

Dr Singh in his speech had mentioned, "I have recently announced that we intend to establish 30 new central universities across the country. I would like at least one of them to be in this state."

He also had proposed to set up knowledge centres - fully equipped with the latest IT - at the district headquarters level. "These centres be fully networked and offer courses that would upgrade skills to a world-class level, especially in the field of software where there is a huge shortage of professionals," he had suggested.