J&K: Hundreds Protest Against Admin Roping in ‘Blacklisted’ Aptech Ltd for New Recruitments

Srinagar: Scores of youth in Jammu and Kashmir protested for the second consecutive day on Thursday against the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s move to involve Aptech Ltd, which has been blacklisted in several other states, for the conduct of examination for government posts in the region. 

The fresh agitation in both the regional capitals of Jammu and Srinagar were held with students, civil society members and political leadership demanding that the decision be withdrawn. The Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) is conducting computer-based written tests for various posts across the Union territory from March 16 to April 5.

The administration, however, has decided to take the examinations despite opposition which has compounded concerns amongst the aspirants, many of whom are now blaming the authorities of “deliberately” putting their careers at stake. The JKSSB in an official statement issued on Wednesday said that the examination would be conducted under CCTV surveillance and would be thoroughly monitored.

“A multi-layered structure for supervision has also been established with one centre observer and Centre Magistrate for each examination center by respective District Administration,” the statement read.

Several youths have been detained since Wednesday during the protests in which the aspirants raised slogans against both the J&K administration and Aptech Ltd.

One of the protesters in Srinagar’s Press Enclave said the protests would continue until Aptech is shown the door.

“We have already lost three years and I am wondering is not there any other company other than Aptech which can conduct these exams. The board has its own infrastructure and resources why can’t they conduct the exams on their own instead of involving blacklisted companies,” the protestor told reporters.

The protesting youth also urged the Lt Governor administration to break its silence, something they say, has put their future at risk.

The Mumbai-based recruitment agency was found involved in various alleged recruitment scams in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Assam. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference’s (JKNC) Ifra Jan, who also joined the protesters in Srinagar, lashed out at the administration and also questioned the role of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) in the issue involving the “blacklisted” recruitment agency. 

“Aptech has FIRs against it and was found involved in a recruitment fraud in Ladakh UT and there are court judgements clearly mentioning its role in frauds. The BJP doesn’t seem to care but how can we risk the future, career and dreams of lakhs of youth,” Jan told NewsClick.

Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader M Y Tarigami, who condemned the use of force against the JKSSB aspirants, in a statement said that the contract must be cancelled immediately.

“Giving contract for conducting exams to a company accused of being involved in venal practices sans reason. Amid ballooning youth unemployment, the move will put the future of thousands of job aspirants on the line,” Tarigami said.