SRINAGAR
State Home Minister Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo told state legislative council on Tuesday that J&K students and workerscan seek help from the Principal Resident Commissioner in Delhi if they are in stress. He was reacting to a call attention motion.
“In order to ensure safety and security of the students and workers studying and working in other states, the Government has nominated Principal Resident Commissioner (PRC), J&K, New Delhi as liaison Officer to intimate any incident of alleged harassment of the people of the State,” Kichloo said. “Dedicated helpline (011-24611108 and 011-24611210) would be available on 24X7 basis in the office of Principal Resident Commissioner, J&K, New Delhi for reporting any incident of harassment.”
Kichloo said it is essential that the students from the State get a conducive and safe atmosphere while pursuing their studies to enable them to realize their dreams, the government has already initiated steps to ensure the same.
He said the issue of boosting confidence and the sense of security among the people of the State studying outside the State has been raised by the Chief Minister in the Chief Ministers’ Conference on Internal Security from time to time and National Integration Council. Besides, the Government is also writing to all the other State Governments seeking their intervention for ensuring a congenial and conducive atmosphere to the people studying, residing and working in their respective States.
Kichloo said that taking cognizance of the report of alleged harassment of the students of J&K studying in Himachal Pradesh, the State Government swiftly took up the matter with the concerned Director General of Police and Additional Chief Secretary, Home Himachal Pradesh for immediate necessary action for checking such incidents.
But the decision triggered a resentment in the assembly. The lawmakers created such a ruckus in the house that Speaker Mubarak Gul could not think of any other option other than adjourning the house. Even after half an hour when the house resumed, member stayed away. Later, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s aide and Kashmir NC chief Nasir Aslam Wani personally went to the his party lawmakers and get them into the house.
“I personally assure the house that as MoS (home) I will never use any kind of light on top of my vehicle,” state’s home minister Sajad Ahmad Kichloo said. But there were not many people willing to buy his argument. Even a senior minister defended the government decision saying the cabinet has done it within the supreme court guidelines.
But the lawmakers continued their protest asserting that if the supreme court has done away with the VIP culture, “why should state created a new class?” The house could only resume routine after the law minister assured the house that the government will make a formal statement on Wednesday.
