Jammu and Kashmir government dismisses four officials citing alleged links to anti-India terror operations News
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Jammu and Kashmir government dismisses four officials citing alleged links to anti-India terror operations

The General Administration Department (GAD) in the northern Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir issued termination orders for four employees on Saturday on allegations of posing a threat to the security of the Indian state. The individuals subject to this decision were Constables Abdul Rehman Dar and Ghulam Rasool Bhat, teacher Shabir Ahmad, and Anayatullah Shah Pirzada, an assistant lineman in the state’s Jal Shakti Department.

The orders were issued by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in accordance with Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution of India, which empowers the government to terminate employees without an inquiry in the interest of national security. The government accused the employees of supplying terrorists with ammunition, maintaining their weapons, inciting violent protests to perpetuate instability in Jammu and Kashmir and assisting in terrorist infiltration.

The administration has faced criticism from political parties for the high number of employee dismissals compared to new hires.  Yusuf Tarigami, spokesman for PAGD, a political alliance favoring more regional autonomy, and general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), previously expressed concerns about employee dismissals, stating in November 2023:

Terminating the services of government employees without giving them a chance to be heard is not only unfair but also a travesty of justice. Reiterating our call for creating employment opportunities rather than snatching livelihoods

Following these four terminations, 61 employees of the Jammu & Kashmir government have now been terminated under 311(2)(c) during the tenure of Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha in Jammu & Kashmir.

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