Cadidates sit around a bonfire to keep themselves warm at night in Doda district. Tribune photo

Our Correspondent

Doda, March 17

Army aspirants, who are staying here to participate in a recruitment drive, are spending sleepless nights on footpaths, outside shops, inside vehicles and in other public places in the hill district of Doda.The 159 Infantry Battalion, Territorial Army, is organising a recruitment drive from March 15 to 25 for unemployed educated youth of Udhampur, Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts at a sports stadium Doda. But the authorities made no accommodation arrangements for the candidates despite knowing full well about cold-wave conditions prevalent in the region for the past few days after rain and snow in upper reaches.A majority of the youths, who are from rural areas and cannot afford accommodation in hotels and lodges, have been forced to spend nights in the open (as at least two days in the city to complete the recruitment process).“We were greatly inconvenienced at night (Tuesday) as we were sleeping outside a shop when it started raining. We had to shift to another place in the middle of the night. Moreover, the authorities were not allowing us to take shelter inside the stadium. Some of my friends were not feeling well and could not perform during the physical test,” said Rahul, an aspirant.Mushtaq Ahmed Wani, another aspirant, said, “We hired a cab by spending Rs 2,000 to reach here for recruitment, but we are disheartened to see the kind of treatment given to us by the authorities. Hundreds of aspirants are without food and shelter. Now, it is very difficult for us to complete a race on an empty stomach.”Babur Ram, father of an aspirant from Dachhan, Kishtwar, said, “It was very disheartening to see the youths sleeping in unhygienic conditions and without blankets. They are also unable to find drinking water, food, toilet and other facilities. It is the responsibility of the administration and the recruitment agency to provide facilities to the aspirants if they have arranged such a big recruitment drive for them.”Doda Deputy Commissioner Bhupinder Kumar said, “It’s a serious issue, but whatever facilities are available with us, we are providing to them. We had already apprised the recruiting authorities that we had no accommodation available and also advised them to conduct the recruitment drive on a district basis.”