*27 reach Jammu, others likely to be airlifted today
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 8: The lethargic approach of the State Government and the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) to evacuate the sportsmen from Jammu, who got trapped in inundated areas of Srinagar has forced their parents to hold protest by blocking the Tawi bridge here today. However, 27 sportsmen along with DYSSO Doda were airlifted to Jammu from Srinagar and others are likely to be airlifted tomorrow.
Hundreds of parents assembled at Bikram Chowk and blocked the vehicular movement on Tawi Bridge connecting the neighbouring States for couple of hours, leading to long traffic snarls.
The protesting parents raised slogans against the Government and the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS). They also flayed DG Sports and Sports Minister for not taking immediate steps for the evacuation of sportsmen of Jammu province.
Harpreet Singh, brother of a football player Inderjeet Singh, a student of class 12th of New National Higher Secondary School, Tali Morh, Miran Sahib while talking to Excelsior revealed that around 200 sportsmen from various institutions were selected for under 19 Inter-District State Level Tournament to be held at Srinagar from September 4 to 8.
He alleged that the students/sportsmen who are going to participate in the sports event to be organized under this Tournament got struck in the inundated areas in Srinagar and nothing has been done to evacuate them, which shows discrimination by DYSS and Government towards sportsmen of Jammu province.
“Nobody has come to their rescue so far”, he said, and appealed to the Government authorities to evacuate and save the lives of these sportspersons.
One of the protesting parents said that the evacuation issue of the sportsmen was also taken up with Sports Minister Raman Bhalla, who assured the people that appropriate steps will be taken for early evacuation of the sportsmen from Srinagar to Jammu.
He further stated that the parents also met senior officials of DYSS including District Youth services and Sports Officer (DYSSO) Jammu Sukhdev Raj, but no concrete step has been taken, he added.
He further stated that parents of the sportsmen also met Sports Minister Raman Bhalla. The Minister assured the people that appropriate steps will be taken for early evacuation of the sportsmen.
The protestors also alleged that some of the coaches from DYSS came back from Srinagar leaving sportsmen at the mercy of God in Srinagar.
Later, police rushed to the spot and assured the protestors that they will take up the matter with concerned authorities. On the assurance, the protestors dispersed and vehicular movement was restored.
Highly placed sources in DYSS Jammu said that around 182 sportsmen including 95 from Jammu district had gone to Srinagar to participate in the Inter-District State Level Tournament to be held from September 4 to 8. They were accompanied by 8 coaches and 2 selectors namely Sudesh Jamwal and Ajay Pal.
The participants of the tournament have to participate in the games including Hockey, Judo, Thang Ta and Wushu, sources said, adding that through this tournament, teams for National School Games (NSG) was to be finalized.
“The Judo, Thang Ta, Wushu and Martial Arts games were scheduled to be held at Indoor Complex, Bakshi Stadium Srinagar from September 4 to 8, whereas Hockey game was to be held at Baramulla Sports Stadium from September 2 to 4”, sources said.
They further stated that out of 182 sportsmen, around 150 sportsmen have been shifted to safer place at CRPF Campus, Bye Pass Road, Srinagar and others in a Gurudwara at Hyderpora.
“Around 27 sportsmen including 17 from District Doda and 10 from District Udhampur were airlifted to Jammu from Srinagar this evening. They were accompanied by District Youth Services and Sports Officer (DYSSO) Doda Swami Raj Kotwal”, sources added.
When contacted DYSSO Jammu Sukhdev Singh confirmed that 27 sportsmen reached Jammu from Srinagar this evening and asserted that other sportspersons are likely to be airlifted tomorrow.
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