Job aspirants go on rampage against UPPSC quota policy

The youths had staged a protest on the same issue last Friday. The matter appeared to have been resolved after UPPSC chairman Anil Yadav assured them that legal advice would be sought in the matter. However,the youths decided

continued on to raise their voice again and planned today’s protest.

A petition,challenging the alleged discriminatory policy of the UPPSC,was filed before the Allahabad High Court,which postponed the matter for July 22,giving the commission’s counsel time to seek instructions.

On the other hand,a group of youths in support of the UPPSC policy also staged a protest near district court premises.

Those opposing the UPPSC policy on reservation alleged that hundreds of OBC candidates got an opportunity to appear in the interview for the UP Civil Services (Mains) examination (2011),whose result was declared on July 4,at the cost of general category candidates because of the faulty policy. The interviews were scheduled to begin from July 26.

It was around 12.30 pm when the protesting aspirants became restive. “The students were hoping that some interim relief,by way of stay,would come their way from the high court. However,when they came to know that the matter had been postponed,the protesting mob became restive and broke through the security barricades,” said one of the protesters.

Allahabad DM Raj Shekhar said: “We had not expected such a huge build-up. The number of protesters could have been over 5,000. Also,since there were two groups,we had to ensure that they did not come face-to-face with,as it could have resulted in more damage. Our forces got divided due to this. Additional forces are being requisitioned.”

Shekhar added that an FIR would be registered but there would be no witch-hunt. “They will be named after they are identified from photographs or video footage,” he said.

Meanwhile,the administration intervened and got the students opposing the UPPSC policy to meet commission officials in the evening.

“The aspirants were adamant that they wanted to meet the secretary or the chairman. But the commission did not want to meet on the plea that the aspirants did not believe in their assurances and have now gone to court. They claimed that since the matter was sub-judice,there was nothing much that could be done. However,finally,a delegation of five aspirants met the secretary of the commission. We are keeping an eye on the situation,” said the DM.