Job aspirants hold candlelight rally in Jammu against ‘blacklisted’ company carrying recruitment process in J&K

The protesters are objecting to hiring of Aptech Limited by JKSSB to conduct a computer-based written test

Hundreds of job aspirants organised a candlelight march on Saturday evening in Jammu as a mark of protest against the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor administration’s move to hire a Mumbai-based “blacklisted” company, Aptech Limited, to carry out a computer-based selection process, in the Union Territory (UT) from March 16.

Carrying candles and raising anti-administration slogans, the aspirants marched towards the Lieutenant Governor’s house in Jammu. However, policemen present on the occasion formed a chain and used vehicles to block the street, leading to L-G Manoj Sinha’s official residence in Jammu.

The protesters carried placards and raised slogans, while seeking a ban on Aptech. “Ban Aptech, save future”, “We want justice”, “Go Back Go Back, Aptech Go Back” and “UP wala nahi chalay ga” were the slogans raised by the protesters.

Earlier, top J&K leaders, including National Conference (NC) president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti and Congress leader Raman Bhalla, joined the protesters.

“The exam must be cancelled. Aptech is a blacklisted company. There must be a probe and those who are involved in this must be punished. Senior officers are involved in this and they are in Delhi right now. The government must take action,” Ms. Mufti said.

Dr. Abdullah asked the L-G administration “to listen to the aspirants and deliver justice”.

Mr. Bhalla said the aspirants who are on road are against “illegitimate alliance of BJP and blacklisted Aptech company”. “The Congress party is with aspirants and will fight for their interests from the Parliament to the streets,” Mr. Bhalla said.