Six youths from Jammu and Kashmir were allegedly laid off from a training programme by Mohali-based Sebiz InfoTech for expressing solidarity with the mass rape victims of Kunan-Poshpora.
Rights groups say more than 30 women were raped by soldiers of 6 Rajputana Rifles on the night of Feb 23, 1991 in the twin villages of Kunan and Poshpora, a charge denied by the army.
The youths, undergoing training under Udaan scheme, had put on black bands on their arms to express resentment against the delay in justice to the victims of Kunan-Poshpora victims.
The trainees allegedly laid off were identified as Diyansho Sharma and Aman Bhau from Jammu, and Ikhlas Ahmad, Asif Hussain, Shiekh Javid Maqbool and Ahsan Ellahi from Kashmir valley.
Udaan, the Special Industry Initiative (SII) for educated unemployed youth of J&K, is funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs and implemented by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).
“We put on black bands on our arms as a mark of protest and to express solidarity with the victims of Kunan-Poshpora. The officials first asked us to stay away from classes for a day, that we agreed,” Asif Hussain, one of the aggrieved students told over phone from Mohali.
He added that the same afternoon, the authorities didn’t allow them to enter hostel.
“It was in evening that we were told about our termination from the ongoing training programme,” he said, adding, “Our valuables from the hostel were thrown out and we were forcefully given the termination notices,” said Hussain.
He added that the all terminated youths were on way back to their homes.
He added that their protest was peaceful and that they didn’t chant any slogans.
Dharamveer, Udaan project Head Sebiz Infotech refused to comment on the phone. “I am in a meeting. E-mail me the details (of the issue),” he said.
Udaan provides a framework of support to the youth to travel, undergo training in firms and transit to work.
Udaan, according to officials, provides exposure to the graduates and post graduates of Jammu and Kashmir to the best of corporate India and also provide corporate India with exposure to the rich talent pool available in the state.
