In a job-starved place like Kashmir, where recruitment in government services is often seen as a blessing, as many as 55 youth who were selected for the post of telecom operators in Jammu and Kashmir Police have refrained from joining the khaki ranks. Predictably, the edgy situation in the Valley is being seen as a possible reason for their “afterthought.”
The Zonal Headquarters Police Telecommunication Kashmir has come up with public notification in this regard on April 26 in Srinagar-based daily Greater Kashmir. The notice with subject “Not joining police services” has asked the candidates selected way back in January 2017 to clear their position.
“The following candidates of Kashmir division who made afresh to the selection list redrawn at State Level Merit vide PHQ order No 211 of 2017 dated 19-01-2017 for appointment as Constable (Operator) in J&K Police communication but failed to join the Police Services within the period stipulated in the selection order are hereby informed as to why their selection for appointment as Constable (operators) in JK Police will not be cancelled,” reads the notice duly signed by SSP Telecom Kashmir Manzoor Ahmed.
Talking to InUth, the SSP says out of 215 selected from Kashmir province only 160 turned up for the job while others didn’t even mind to visit the police office to convey their decision. “Apart from public notification we have also served them notices through concerned police stations but till now any response is awaited.”
This unusual low turnout of youth joining police force despite growing unemployment comes at a time when the situation in the Valley continues to be edgy amid a deadly revival of militancy. On April 16, the police issued an advisory to its field personnel to avoid visiting their homes “for the next few months”, following incidents of attacks by militants on their residences and family members.
The advisory issued by the police headquarters referred to the recent incidents in the valley where militants, anti-national, and anti-social elements have caused damage to the life and property of police personnel or their families.
But police is unwilling to buy the theory that the hostile situation in Kashmir may be the possible reason for selected candidates refraining from joining the police forces. “Actually this selection process had started some seven years ago, may be these selected candidates have got some other jobs since then.”
