J&K People's Conference chief Sajad Lone sees hope after SC's bulldozer order

J&K People's Conference chief Sajad Lone on Thursday said he will seek the intervention of the Supreme Court on the issue of police verification process in J&K which, he said, has been turned into a "collective punishment for people", violating natural justice.

The decision to approach the apex court was inspired by its recent judgment condemning the bulldozing of properties of accused people awaiting trial, said Lone, who is also MLA from Handwara area of northern Kashmir.



"The police verification process, often denying (clearance) to entire families due to a relative's record, violates the principles of natural justice in the name of national security," said Lone. "If the Supreme Court views bulldozing properties as collective punishment, then withholding a police verification certificate for an entire family based on a relative's record is no different." Lone emphasised the need to end the outdated "stone-age" system specifically imposed on Kashmiris.


Political parties across the spectrum have spoken against the police verification process in their election manifestos, and the National Conference and its partners in the recently elected government have also vowed to end the "harsh" process. Political parties have alleged that the verification process has been "weaponised" against the people in the Valley.

Over the past few years, political parties have repeatedly raised the issue of locals, especially in Kashmir, complaining of manifold increase in delayed and non-issuance of police verification clearances for passports, government jobs, admissions, travel as well as private jobs.