JAMMU/SRINAGAR: Police in Jammu on Wednesday detained several candidates protesting against the hiring of a company that was earlier blacklisted by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for conducting written examination. . The officers provided this information.
Officials said the protesters gathered outside Dogra Chowk in the heart of Jammu city and tried to take out the march in defiance of prohibitory orders, following which the police swung into action and resorted to mild lathicharge before taking several of them into custody.
The protesters raised slogans against the JKSSB for hiring APTECH Limited, a blacklisted company in 2019, for conducting computer-based tests.
A senior JKSSB official said there was no justification for the protest as the matter of hiring the APTECH company is “sub-judice”.
However, he said, the company was hired as per the guidelines of the Central and J&K government as it has completed the blacklisting period of three years in May last year.
“When we are selecting a company to conduct a written test, we also put in place checks and balances to ensure transparency, accountability and fairness in the selection. We are following a process that is followed by leading national The level matches the standards of recruitment agencies.
Raising slogans such as “Aptech go back” and “we want justice”, the protesters said they were worried about their future as they were crossing the age limit due to the administration’s alleged failure to complete the recruitment process on time. Are.
“They are conducting an exam and then canceling it that’s how many times we have to appear for the same exam again and again,” said a protester.
In July last year, the Jammu and Kashmir administration led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had canceled a select list of 1,200 police sub-inspectors, 1,300 junior engineers and 1,000 finance accounts assistants (FAAs) following allegations of paper leak and malpractices.
The CBI, which is probing the sub-inspector recruitment scam after registering a case on August 3 on a reference from the JK administration, has already filed a chargesheet against 24 people, including the mastermind, Yatin Yadav of Rewari, and the BSF commandant. November 12, 2022.
“Aptech was blacklisted in the past and there is no guarantee that it will not commit any wrongdoing in future. What compelled the LG administration to include such a blacklisted company? asked a female protester.
A peaceful protest was also organized at Press Enclave in Srinagar, where many job aspirants raised slogans against APTECH and JKSSB.
Leaders of other political parties, including former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, condemned the use of force against job aspirants.
“I condemn in the strongest terms the use of force and lathicharge against students and JKSSB candidates. National Conference vice-president Abdullah said, “These youths were exercising their democratic right to protest against the recent decision to include blacklisted firms.”
Talking to reporters in Shopian, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti condemned the lathicharge against job aspirants in Jammu.
“Many unemployed youths are protesting both in Srinagar and Jammu. He was lathicharged and I condemn it in the strongest terms. Is it his fault that he wanted to ask the BJP government why his future is being played with.
He asked on what basis and at whose behest a company blacklisted by other states was given the contract to recruit here.
“Laws were changed to ensure that it gets the contract. So these questions were being asked by the youth, but they were lathicharged, detained. I demand that the LG take action against the officials involved Do it.
The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said that the youth work hard, prepare for the exam day and night, but then they are told that there was some irregularity in the recruitment conducted by APTECH and the exam was cancelled.
“He will have to start again from zero. They (government) are pushing the future of the youth here into darkness.
People’s Conference President Sajjad Lone also condemned the police action.
“Strongly condemn the use of force against the students protesting against APTECH. The use of force against the students shows how isolated the administration is. Who will order the use of force against young students. Have some Shame. U (you) will probably have kids of the same age at home,” Lone wrote on Twitter.
Democratic Azad Party (DAP) leader and former J&K chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad tweeted, “Disappointing to hear about the use of violence against #JKSSB candidates in J&K who are protesting peacefully for their future.” Was doing. I strongly condemn such actions and urge the government to intervene to protect the rights of students without any fear!
Congress spokesperson Jahanzaib Sirwal, DAP chief spokesperson Salman Nizami and Apni Party youth wing state vice-president Rakiq Ahmed Khan also condemned the use of “brute force” against peaceful protesters.
“The company has been blacklisted in several states and also fined by the Supreme Court. What can be a more heart-wrenching moment for the youth of Jammu and Kashmir than this.
(PTI)
