Jammu: The bustling Bus Stand in Jammu turned into a scene of chaos Saturday afternoon as a heated confrontation over an alleged recruitment scam escalated into a physical scuffle.
Police were forced to intervene when two men from Reasi publicly confronted a local political leader from majority party , accusing him of defrauding them of lakhs of rupees under the pretext of securing jobs in Jammu and Kashmir Police.
While the police is tightlipped over the matter,sources told that the altercation broke out when Mohd Abass and Mohd Din, both residents of Mohar, Reasi, intercepted a renowned political leader and his associate, hailing from hilly district Doda.
Witnesses report that a “heated exchange of arguments” quickly turned into manhandling as the men from Reasi demanded the immediate return of their money or the issuance of official appointment orders. The commotion drew a large crowd, prompting the cops from Police Station Bus Stand to rush to the scene. All parties involved were taken into custody to prevent further breach of peace.
According to sources, the dispute stems from a significant financial allegation. It is claimed that the political leader had collected approximately ₹8,00,000 from ten individuals in the Mohar area of Reasi.
The victims alleged that the money was taken on the promise of engaging them as Special Police Officers (SPOs). However, after a considerable period, the promised jobs failed to materialize, and the duo allegedly refused to refund the collected amount, leading the frustrated victims to track them down at the Jammu Bus Stand.
The Police Station Bus Stand has initiated formal proceedings following the public disturbance under Sections 156/170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)—formerly known as Sections 107/151 of the CrPC—relating to preventive detention for maintaining public order.
Their further questioning was in progress till last report poured in.
The involvement of a leader from a major political party has sent ripples through the local administration. While the police are currently focusing on the public order offense, the serious nature of the “cash-for-jobs” allegation is expected to trigger a deeper investigation into the purported recruitment racket.
