JU shifts dept head after protests

Tribune News Service

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Jammu, February 19

The University of Jammu today shifted Avtar Singh Jasrotia, director of sports and physical education, with immediate effect following protests by students.

An order issued by Meenakshi Kilam, Registrar, University of Jammu, states Jasrotia will now function as the director, Reasi campus, in addition to his other existing duties by relieving Daud Iqbal Baba from the additional charge of the director. Iqbal Baba, coordinator of campuses, would now be the director of the sports and physical education department in addition to his other duties, the order said.

Komal Nagar, assistant professor, business school, would be assistant director in charge, directorate of sports and physical education, in addition to her other duties.

The decision was taken in view of the standoff being continued for more than 15 days between students and the university authorities.

Earlier today, academic activities at the University of Jammu came to a standstill after students of sports and physical education department locked all entry gates of the main campus in support of their demand for the removal of the director of the department.

Prof RD Sharma, Vice Chancellor, also could not reach the campus and he had to operate the administrative affairs through emails and mobile phone.

Students of physical education department were carrying out protests against their alleged “harassment” by Avtar Singh Jasrotia, director of the sports and physical education. They were demanding his immediate shifting from the department.

They said they were being harassed and the director was running the department on his “whims and fancies” in violation of the university statutes. They also alleged he was not accepting medical certificates and had been marking them absent, thereby rendering them ineligible for appearing in the final examination. Besides, examinations were not being conducted as per the university calendar, which was affecting the academic performance of students.

No vehicle was allowed to enter or leave the campus, thereby affecting the functioning of the university. As the gates were closed, university staff had to return home.

On February 16, students had ghearoed the office of the Vice Chancellor and had locked him and other staff inside for almost five hours.

The order states...

An order issued by Meenakshi Kilam, Registrar, University of Jammu, states Jasrotia will now function as the director, Reasi campus, in addition to his other existing duties by relieving Daud Iqbal Baba from the additional charge of the director. Iqbal Baba, coordinator of campuses, will now be the director of the sports and physical education department in addition to his other duties.