Use of brute force against protesting job aspirants draws ire of IIOJK politicians
Jammu, March 09 (KMS): Politicians in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have spoken out against use of brute force by police on job aspirants protesting against hiring of a black-listed Indian company by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for conducting written examinations.
Indian police resorted to cane-charge and detained a large number of job aspirants in Jammu after they tried to stage a massive protest. The protesters had assembled outside Dogra Chowk in the heart of the Jammu city and tried to take out a march but police swung into action and resorted to lathi-charge and detained several youth.
The protesters raised slogans against the JKSSB for hiring Mumbai-based APTECH Limited, the company which had been blacklisted in 2019 for conduct of computer-based tests. Similar demonstrations were staged in Doda, Bhaderwah, Rajouri and other parts of Jammu besides a massive protest which was held at Srinagar’s Press Enclave.
Chanting slogans like “APTECH go back” and “we want justice”, the protesters said they are concerned about their future as they are crossing the age limit due to the failure of the administration to complete the recruitment process in time. “They are conducting an examination and then cancelling it…how many times we have to appear for the same exam time and again,” the protesters said. They sought a blanket ban on APTECH, saying that the firm was panelized by the top court of India and is on the blacklist of various Indian states.
The PDP chief, Mehbooba Mufti, speaking to reporters in Shopian said, “Many unemployed youth are on protest both in Srinagar and Jammu. They were lathicharged and I condemn that in the strongest possible terms. Is this their fault that they wanted to ask the BJP government why their future is being played with”. On what basis, and at whose behest, has the company, which is blacklisted by other states, been awarded a contract to conduct the recruitment here, she asked.
National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah condemned in the strongest possible terms, the use of force and lathi-charge against students and JKSSB aspirants. In a series of tweets, he further said these young job aspirants were exercising their democratic right to protest against the recent decision to engage a blacklisted firm. Seeking immediate cancellation of the contract, the NC leader said, it is even more dangerous because it puts at risk the future of scores of aspirants.
Working president of IIOJK chapter of Indian National Congress, Raman Bhalla strongly condemning the police action said there was no justification for hiring APTECH company which was earlier blacklisted.
Seeking justice for job aspirants Bhalla said Congress was concerned about their future as they are crossing the age limit due to the failure of the administration to complete the recruitment process on time.
