medical-seats-row-civil-secretariat-sealed-as-protests-intensify

 

Police on Tuesday sealed the Civil Secretariat in Jammu to foil any attempt of protest by the recently formed Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangharsh Samiti in Jammu for the cause of medical admissions in Katra college. The protest call was linked to MBBS admissions at the SMVD Institute of Medical Excellence, with the Sangharsh Samiti alleging religious bias by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in the admission of non-Hindu students.

 

The body has demanded cancellation of the admission process or closure of the medical college while threatening to intensify stir through signature campaign and boycott at multiples levels. It has already given call for boycott of the functions attended by LG Manoj Sinha, since the latter is the chairman of all institutions run by the Mata Vaishno Devi Board.

 

 “The group has demanded rescission of the admission process or closure of the medical college, while also threatening escalation through signature campaigns and boycotts,”, said a member of the Sangarsh Samiti.Officials said hundreds of police personnel, led by senior officers, were deployed outside the Civil Secretariat to prevent any law and order situation. A police official said that no protesters would be allowed to come anywhere near the Secretariat premises. Barricades have been put on all the entry points leading to Civil Secretariat Jammu. 

 

Leaders of the Sangharsh Samiti have also alleged misuse of shrine funds and have sought intervention from BJP leaders and the Lt Governor. Right wing organizations have raised objections to the admission process, attempting to project it as a contentious issue.

 

However, the government has categorically stated that all admissions at the medical college have been carried out strictly on the basis of merit and not on the basis of religion. Officials reiterated that the selection process follows prescribed norms and regulations applicable to medical admission. Authorities said the situation remained under control, with security arrangements put in place as a precautionary measure to maintain public order in the high security zone.