Srinagar: The Regional Passport Officer of Srinagar on Thursday said that the condition of issuing passports to those who have or had any relative involved in militancy is subjected to verification clearance from the concerned wing of Jammu & Kashmir Police.
"The condition of issuing the passport wholly pertains to the verification clearance from the police only," Regional Passport Officer, Srinagar (RPO) Divinder Kumar said.
“Passport department has a limitation that no passport can be issued without clearance from J&K police with special instructions from the government," he said.
He made these comments on the sidelines of a special camp where he handed around 700 passports to Hajj aspirants.
The Hindu recently published a report saying delayed or no police verification or adverse police reports have left hundreds of Kashmir residents without jobs and passports. Even as several J&K politicians, including former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija Mufti, alleged they were being denied passports and approached the court.
“Our office is going to take up the issue with the concerned police wings of J&K Police," Kumar said.
But we can only issue passports after clearance from the police," he added.
“We will try to resolve your issues with all available and possible options," he told applicants.
Earlier, RPO for Kashmir and Ladakh sought permission from the Central government to hold a special camp for Hajj aspirants.
Many aspirants who had come from different parts of the valley to attend the camp regarding their passports acknowledged the Haj Committee and the office of RPO for holding the workshop.
(KNO)
