Jammu, Dec 28: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday chaired the 3rd Meeting of the University Council of the Cluster University of Jammu, at Lok Bhavan, Jammu.

The Lieutenant Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the University, emphasised that higher education institutions must focus on innovation, employability and entrepreneurship, while ensuring that academic initiatives are aligned with the regional and national developmental needs. He advised the University to strengthen integrated and professional programmes to meet the emerging academic and industry demands.

The University Council, which met under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, accorded in-principle approval to several significant academic and administrative proposals. It reviewed and confirmed key reforms in line with the National Education Policy (NEP)–2020, including adoption of the new undergraduate curriculum framework, introduction of new academic programmes and revision of course structures to enhance flexibility and employability.

The Council approved the introduction of new programmes such as the Four-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP), M.A. Education, Masters in Performing Arts, PG Geography and Cyber Security at the PG level, along with new minor, skill and value-added courses across constituent colleges. Student-centric measures such as award of additional credits for sports and cultural activities, revised credit norms for MOOCs and inclusive examination and admission policies were also confirmed.

The Lieutenant Governor appreciated the University’s reform initiatives and emphasized the need to strengthen academic quality, student welfare and institutional governance. He instructed the University to ensure implementation of the e-office system before the end of June, 2026 and to conduct the University Council meetings after every six months.

The Lieutenant Governor called for increased students’ participation in the Viksit Bharat Yuva Connect programme. He also issued directions for encouraging active engagement of students in Nasha Mukt Bharat and Nasha Mukt J&K campaigns.

Prof. K. S. Chandrasekar, Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu, made a detailed presentation on the University’s administrative, academic, financial, examination and evaluation reforms, student enrolment status and various academic collaborations in research and education.

The meeting was attended by Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir, Prof Nilofer Khan; Vice-Chancellor, Cluster University Srinagar, Prof. Mohammad Mobin; Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shantmanu; Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari; Provost, SGT University, Prof. Madan Mohan Chaturvedi; Registrar, Cluster University of Jammu, Ankur Mahajan, other Council members and senior officials.

Jammu, Dec 28: Under the patronage of Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Judicial Academy), guidance of Chairperson and Members of Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy, Two-Day Orientation Programme on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, with reference to SAMVAD’s Training Manual on “Essential Interventions and Skills for Working with Child Sexual Abuse – Introducing Mental Health and Legal Dimensions of Forensics” and the National Judicial Academy’s Training Module for Fast Track Special Courts,concluded today atthe Convention Centre, Canal Road, Jammu.

Justice Javed Iqbal Wani, Judge, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Member, Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy) in his special address emphasized that an offence against a child is not merely a criminal act but a grave violation of trust and dignity. His Lordship stressed that justice in such cases must be humane, responsive, and child-centric, and that courtrooms should become spaces of trust, safety, and the last hope of justice for child victims. Justice Wani observed that the POCSO Act, 2012 was enacted to transform the manner in which child victims are treated by the justice system, with the best interests and dignity of the child remaining paramount at all stages. His Lordship further noted that rehabilitation and compensation are integral aspects of justice under the Act, concluding that every POCSO case is a test of sensitivity and every child a measure of our commitment to justice.

On Day 2, the first technical session on “Effective Investigation & Documentation in POCSO Cases” was delivered by Dr. K.P. Singh, IPS, Former Director General of Police, Haryana. He shared best practices in police investigation, duties of Investigating Officers under Sections 24 and 25 of the POCSO Act, proper documentation, use of technology, and the importance of confidentiality, while highlighting common investigative lapses that lead to acquittals.

The second session on “Trial Management in POCSO Courts – Challenges, Sensitivity & Case Law” was conducted by Dr. Humayun Rasheed Khan, Professor, National Judicial Academy, Bhopal. The session focused on child-friendly courtroom procedures, managing testimony of child witnesses, the role of Special Courts, recent judgments of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and High Courts, protection of vulnerable witnesses, and fast-track procedures as envisaged under the National Judicial Academy’s training modules.

The third session was addressed by Mandeep Reen, Advocate, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, on “Important Provisions of the POSH Act and Rules” and the interplay between the POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. She emphasized on gender mainstreaming, workplace equality, the role of Internal and Local Complaints Committees, and the prohibition of gender-stereotypical language, with reference to the handbook issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Naseer Ahmad Dar, Director, J&K Judicial Academy, who expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Judges, resource persons and participants for their valuable contributions and reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to strengthening child-friendly justice delivery systems.

An interactive session followed, during which participants shared their experiences, challenges and feedback, enriching the deliberations with practical insights from the field.

Bareilly (UP), Dec 28: Uttar Pradesh Police have detained two suspected Kashmiri men, allegedly after villagers complained about their suspicious activities in Bareilly district, officials said on Sunday.

The incident came to light on Saturday morning when villagers complained, on the police’s X handle, about two Kashmiri men who allegedly were found begging at houses in Dhimri village in the Ahladpur area, police said.

Izzatnagar police launched a search after suspecting their language and manner of speaking, they said.

The suspects attempted to evade police by mingling with the crowd and offering namaz. However, after villagers spotted them again, police apprehended them, Izzatnagar Station House Officer (SHO) Bijendra Singh said.

During questioning, the men identified themselves as Shaukat Ali and Sajjad, both residents of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

The duo told interrogators that they had been staying in a local mosque and had arrived in the city on December 10 and had been staying in the Dhimri village since then, police said.

The detainee also claimed that they were poor and survived by begging, police said, adding that no significant information has emerged so far.

Intelligence agencies are also interrogating them, police said, adding that, prima facie, their activities appeared suspicious.

Soon after their detention, the Local Intelligence Unit (LIU) also joined the probe, the SHO said.

The photographs and Aadhaar details of the two men have been sent to Jammu and Kashmir Police for verification, the SHO said.

Further questioning is underway, officials said.

Jammu, Dec 28: Over 8,000 runners across age groups from eight to 80 years participated in the ‘Run for Unity’ marathon, organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police here on Sunday, officials said.

The marathon was flagged off by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), headquarters, M K Sinha and ADGP Armed Anand Jain and passed through various city routes before culminating at the starting point at Gulshan ground, a police spokesman said.

He said the participants included students from various educational institutions, members of sports bodies, police and senior citizens.

The winners in different categories were awarded cash prizes and certificates by the ADG Headquarters, the spokesman said, adding all participants were presented with T-shirts, finishing medals, and refreshments.

Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir Police has been consistently organising sports and community-oriented events in the winter capital under its civic action programme, which have received an overwhelming response, particularly from the youth.

“The primary objective of these initiatives is to identify and nurture sporting talent while promoting a healthy, positive and disciplined lifestyle,” he said.