In Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar, government job aspirants protested against JKSSB and Aptech Limited on Wednesday over alleged malpractices in recruitment examinations.
Protests in Srinagar from last couple of weeks against the government’s decision to allow a blacklisted company to conduct online exams for government jobs in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The protesters included aspiring candidates and leaders. Job aspirants of Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) gathered at Press Enclave to protest against award of contract to APTECH Limited for conducting various examinations.
Various exams conducted by APTECH company have been canceled due to leaking of papers or use of screen sharing and other measures to help students pass illegally. The latest case pertains to the prestigious Judicial Services examinations last month, which were canceled allegedly due to paper leak by the company. In protest against the Jammu and Kashmir government and the JKSSB, the protesters demanded that the LG administration should investigate why paper leaks and scams happen only in Kashmir. The protesters said, “All blacklisted companies should be banned in Jammu and Kashmir, until action is taken against these blacklisted companies, no student will appear in any competitive exam.” The protesters alleged that APTECH Limited has been involved in several scams in other parts of the country including Rajasthan, Leh, Ambala and others. J&K Police lathi-charged protesters in Jammu who were protesting against JKSSB.
Former CM Omar Abdullah targeted the government
Former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir – Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti have criticized the government for using force against the student candidates. In a tweet, Omar Abdullah said, “I condemn in the strongest terms the use of force and lathicharge against students and candidates of JKSSRB. These youths were exercising their democratic right to protest against the recent decision of JKSSRB to include blacklisted firm Aptech.In another tweet, Omar said, “This contract should be canceled immediately.” What is the point of blacklisting a company if they are being given huge contracts. This contract is even more dangerous as it jeopardizes the future of candidates who rely on JKSSRB for recruitment exams.” At the same time, the protesting students said, “Many national papers have also exposed these scams.” Nothing significant is being done to allay the apprehensions of the job aspirants.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also condems the lathi-charge on aspirants
Condemning the lathicharge on the candidates, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti demanded immediate withdrawal of the contract and action against the officials who gave the contract to the tainted company. Mehbooba Mufti said, “I ask the LG to initiate an enquiry against the officials who have given this contract to a blacklisted company. These are the same officials who conspired to break Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.”The protesters demanded that the Lt Governor’s administration should rise to the occasion and take necessary steps for the larger benefit of the youth of J&K. Whereas, after the release of the latest recruitment exam calendar, candidates and political leaders across the spectrum have slammed JKSSB for hiring Aptech. Former CM and Democratic Azad Party Chief Ghulam Nabi Azad also tweeted in support of aspirant protesters. In a tweet he wrote,” It is disheartening to hear about the violence against #JKSSB aspirants in J&K who were peacefully protesting for their future. I strongly condemn such actions and urge the government to intervene to protect the rights of students without fear of harm.
– Murtaza Ali
