Traders object to shifting of proposed passport kendra

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 21

To protest the against shifting of the newly proposed Passport Seva Kendra from Baramulla to Bandipora, the Joint Coordination Committee comprising businessmen, lawyers and civil society members of north Kashmir have called for a rally tomorrow.

“A protest rally will be held at Main Chowk in Baramulla under the banner of the Baramulla Joint Coordination Committee against the shifting of the Passport Seva Kendra from Baramulla to Bandipora,” a statement from the coordination committee said.

Earlier on February 20, the District Bar Association had condemned a statement by the Superintendent of the Baramulla Post Office that there is no space for establishing a Passport Seva Kendra here. The Bar had said the officer was trying to supersede the authority and directives of the Chief Minister with some ulterior motives as it had been already decided that the Passport Seva Kendra would be established at Baramulla to benefit the people of north Kashmir.

After inaugurating a Passport Seva Kendra for Anantnag district on February 19, CM Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: “To ensure passport services to the masses, the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras are being established in head post offices in the country. This will facilitate passport services on a larger scale and wider coverage. After Anantnag, Kathua and Baramulla, a Kendra for Srinagar was inaugurated today.”

However, on the same day, the Superintendent of Baramulla Post Office told the reporters that that there was no space for establishing a Passport Seva Kendra here, which irked the residents of the area.

Protest today 

A protest rally will be held at the Main Chowk in Baramulla on Thursday under the banner of the Baramulla Joint Coordination Committee against the shifting of the proposed Passport Seva Kendra from Baramulla to Bandipora.