SRINAGAR: Protests against JKSSB gained momentum after a massive online campaign against JKSSB and Aptech trended for days all over social media.
Scores of job aspirants hit the streets for the second consecutive day on Thursday to protest against the hiring of the blacklisted Aptech by JKSSB for conducting written examinations for recruitment to various posts.
Job spirants assembled at the Press Enclave and raised slogans against Aptech and the JKSSB.
“Why is JKSSB adamant on giving contract to a tainted company. We just want our future to be in safe hands and for that there should be a blanket ban on Aptech,” the protesting students said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of aspirants from Jammu on Wednesday assembled at Dogra Chowk and protested against the notification and issuance of admit cards even as the matter of JKSSB is still pending before the court.
The protesting students who were demanding a ban on Aptech were lathi-charged and some of them were detained.
Pertinently, the Jammu and Kashmir administration headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha last year cancelled the selected list of 1,200 police sub-inspectors, 1,300 junior engineers and 1,000 finance account assistants (FAA) following allegations of paper leak and malpractices.
After scrapping recruitment lists, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha announced fresh exams and promised a transparent and fair recruitment process, however, the contract with Aptech again brought the students on streets, halting the exam process.
Meanwhile, the protesting aspirants from all over the UT have drawn immense support from political class who continuously are posting in favour of the aspirants on their Twitter Handles.
The political class is demanding for an immediate action against Aptech and has strongly condemned the use of force against students in Jammu.
Former chief minister Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah took to Twitter and wrote, “I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the use of force & lathi charge against students & JKSSB aspirants. These youngsters were exercising their democratic right to protest against the recent decision to engage a blacklisted firm #Aptech by JKSSB.”
Speaking to reporters in Shopian, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said, “Many job aspirants are on protest both in Srinagar and Jammu. They were lathi-charged and I condemn that in strongest possible terms,” she said.
“Strongly condemn the use of force against students protesting APTECH. Using force against students shows how alienated the administration is. Who would order use of force against young students. Have some shame. U would probably have children at home, of same age group,” People’s Conference chairperson Sajjad Lone wrote on his Twitter handle.
