SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir administration terminated the services of two officials and a police officer due to their alleged involvement in anti-national and pro-militant activities. Among those dismissed is Faheem Aslam, a journalist-turned-public relations officer at the University of Kashmir.
A spokesperson for J&K said the action against Faheem Aslam, revenue department official Murawath Hussain Mir, and police constable Arshid Ahmad Thoker was taken under Article 311 (2) (c) of the Indian Constitution, which allows for the dismissal, removal, or reduction in rank of individuals employed in civil capacities under the Union or a State. The spokesperson claimed that these individuals were actively collaborating with Pakistani terror outfits, providing logistical support to terrorists, promoting terrorist ideology, raising terror finances, and advancing a secessionist agenda.
Official sources revealed that the activities of these employees had drawn the attention of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they were found to be engaged in activities detrimental to the interests of the State, including involvement in terrorist-related activities. The sources further stated that through painstaking investigations, it had been conclusively established that they were acting on behalf of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and various separatist and terrorist organisations.
In identical orders, the government stated that the Lieutenant Governor, after considering the facts and circumstances of the cases and the available information, was satisfied that the activities of the trio warranted their dismissal from service. Each order also stated that, in the interest of the State's security, it was deemed unnecessary to conduct an inquiry into the cases under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Indian Constitution. Consequently, they were dismissed from service "with immediate effect."
In recent months, J&K has taken a firm stance against employees accused of involvement in anti-national and anti-social activities, resulting in the termination of 52 individuals under Article 311.
Reiterating its zero tolerance policy towards anti-national elements taking advantage of their positions in the government, the J&K administration emphasised its commitment to maintaining security and stability in the region.
However, Opposition parties criticised the actions, alleging that the government is disempowering local people under the guise of national interest. Responding to the latest dismissals, former Chief Minister and President of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti, expressed her concerns on Twitter, stating, "The LG admin is institutionalising a permanent state of disintegration in J&K. Criminalising livelihood on preposterous reasons of 'terror links' at a time when the state is reeling from unemployment is only deepening the trust deficit. It's being done by misusing and invoking Article 311(2)(b) of the Indian Constitution." In her previous remarks on the dismissal of several government officials, she had alleged that these actions were aimed at disrupting the balance in administration and disempowering locals.
