People protest, demand SPOs’ recruitment in Kandi

Youth staging protest at Kotranka in Rajouri district on Thursday. -Excelsior/Imran
Youth staging protest at Kotranka in Rajouri district on Thursday. -Excelsior/Imran

Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, July 4: A large number of youth, supported by some locals, staged protest dharna at Kotranka (Kandi) today against the recent Special Police Officers (SPOs) recruitment initiated by the LG Administration, ignoring rural areas of the district.
The protesters voiced strong objections to the recruitment process being restricted to only selected villages and towns, calling for equal opportunities for all villages in the region.
The demonstrators demanded relaxation in the age limit for recruitment, emphasizing that the current restrictions are unfair and exclusionary. They argued that the recruitment should be open to candidates from all villages, not just a few selected ones.
“The administration’s decision to limit the recruitment to specific villages is deeply unjust,” said one of the protesting youth.
“We have a significant unemployment issue in this area, and the administration’s actions are only exacerbating the problem. Every village should have an equal chance to participate in the recruitment process,” he added,
The protesters warned of a mass agitation if the recruitment notice is not revoked and amended to include all villages. “We are prepared to escalate our protests if our demands are not met,” they stated firmly.
The protesters also highlighted the pressing issue of unemployment in the region, accusing the administration of neglecting their responsibility to provide equal employment opportunities. “The administration’s selective recruitment process is a clear sign that they are not addressing the needs and concerns of the entire community,” a protester remarked.
The locals called for immediate action from the LG Administration to revise the recruitment notice, ensuring justice to all aspiring candidates in the region. They urged the authorities to address their demands promptly to prevent further unrest among youth.