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| Initiative may bring relief to 80,000 persons | | EAM stand on passports | | Early Times Report
Jammu, June 7: The initiative taken by the Union External Affairs Ministry (EAM) regarding issue of passports to persons in the `security index' has evoked widespread appreciation in the conflict torn Valley. According to news reports the EAM has sought details from the Home Ministry and a decision is expected shortly.
The decision may be a great relief to more than 80,000 persons who according to intelligence sleuths are in the security index. The security index is called the Red Book which becomes fatter with every passing day. For the information of one and all, the `Red Book' does not enlist people for their achievements. It has names of around 80,000 people who can never get travel documents.
In 2009, the Book had only 60,000 names. Last year, according to informed sources around 15000 names were added and this year till date the book has swelled by 5000 names. The "Red Book" actually is a `black list' which the establishment calls Security Index. Persons in this list cannot get travel documents and cannot, therefore, go out of the country, not even for pilgrimage. According to human rights defenders, right to travel is guaranteed under international law. "Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR, 1966), which has been signed and ratified by India reads: "Every one has a right to leave the country including his own and this right should not be restricted to any restrictions." But, the talk of international covenants makes no difference for the persons in the "Red Book". In 2009 the police denied clearance to 400 aspiring Hajj pilgrims-they were either in the "Security Index" or have relatives who do or in some cases bear names "similar" to the ones mentioned in the list. Even minors related to those in the list have been denied travel documents. The denial of passports to many a student has marred their career. The `Red Book' also haunts a number of businessmen, lawyers and journalists. |
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