SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said he will ensure that no person is denied a passport on the basis of his or her relative being involved in subversive activities.
“I will get to the bottom of this issue because, although this case was highlighted, I must ensure there aren’t others going unnoticed,” Omar wrote on microblogging website Twitter.
The Chief Minister was reacting to local media reports which highlighted the case of one Ruhail Afzal Shiekh – a resident of Kupwara district – who was denied passport due to his father’s links with separatist JKLF outfit.
Sheikh had applied for a passport as he was going to Britain for interning with a reputed newspaper ‘The Guardian’.
Omar said the rejection of Ruhail’s passport application raises questions on the decision of the CID department as it goes against the state policy.
“That having been said this case raises the wider question of why the CID rejection, against stated policy, happened in the first place,” he said.
Denying passports to relatives of militants and separatist leaders was a common practice in the state following eruption of militancy. However, the present government issued an order that no one, who is not himself or herself involved in anti-national activities, should be denied clearance for issuing the travel document.
Omar said if there was nothing against the person of the applicant, he will be given clearance for issuing a travel document.
“(I) am sure if there is nothing in his own record his relative’s history will not prejudice his passport application,” the Chief Minister added.
Omar said he has inquired into the issue. “It is coming up for review as he had applied for a review of the rejection”.–PTI
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