J&K: Authorities Terminate Services of 5 Govt Employees, Including 2 Policemen

Srinagar: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have terminated the services of five government employees, including two policemen, for their alleged 'terror links' under Article 311 (2) C of the Constitution on Wednesday.

Amongst those fired from their government jobs includes police constables Shahid Hussain Rather, a resident of Khairpora village of North Kashmir’s Tangmarg area of District Baramulla and Tawseef Ahmed Mir, a resident of Chakoora village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

A computer operator in the revenue department Ghulam Hassan Parray, who is a resident of Lawaypora locality of Srinagar, Arshid Ahmad Dass, a teacher in the School Department hailing from Brah Bandina village of Awantipora area of Pulwama and Sharafat Ahmad Khan, a resident of North Kashmir’s Kupwara, who worked as a nursing orderly in the health department have also been fired from their jobs.

The sacking of government employees is part of the larger crackdown launched by the Lt. Governor administration against those the authorities believe aid separatism in the Jammu and Kashmir region.

“...And Whereas, the Lieutenant Governor is satisfied under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India that in the interest of the security of the State, it is not expedient to hold an enquiry in the case of Mr. Ghulam Hassan Parray, Computer Operator in the Revenue Department...” read an official order in case of Parray dated March 30.

Both the policemen, according to reports, are accused of being actively involved in militancy and involved in aiding militant outfits and were suspended earlier from their services. According to official sources, the three other employees are accused of aiding militants and allegedly provoking others to join militant ranks.

More than two dozen employees have been sacked in Jammu and Kashmir under the constitutional provision that allows dismissal without a hearing. In November last year, the authorities terminated the services of two senior government officers, including Feroz Ahmed Lone, a deputy superintendent of jails in Jammu and Javid Ahmad Shah, who served as a principal of a government girl's school in the Bijbehara area of South Kashmir.

The decision to terminate government employees in the “interest of security” was first carried out in May last year, a month after the authorities led by LG Manoj Sinha announced the formation of a Special Task Force (STF) in April 2021 to crackdown upon government employees suspected of being involved in ‘anti-state’ activities. As many as 17 employees were terminated in the next six months, and more were sacked, later drawing condemnation from locals and regional political leadership.

“On one hand, GOI is recruiting retired security personnel from all over India for civilian posts in J&K. But at the same time they are deliberately firing Kashmiri govt employees to offset the balance in the administration & disempowering locals," People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti tweeted after latest terminations.

National Conference spokesperson Ifra Jan said that “the Executive cannot take over the role of the Judiciary. If they are being held guilty of a crime, then they have to get a fair trial in front of an impartial jury that would assess evidence on both sides. Why is that not done? Rule of Law is fundamental to our Constitution, and every day BJP government flouts its every principle with absolute impunity.”