In second order since Omar assumed office, J&K LG terminates three employees over militant links

Srinagar, Feb 15: The Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has issued the second termination order of government employees for alleged militant links since Omar Abdullah took over as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

This has raised the number of sacked employees since the revocation of Article 370 to nearly 70.

Earlier on November 29 last year LG Manoj Sinha terminated two government employees from the service citing that the order was issued “in the interest of the security of the state after their terror links were established.”

The Lieutenant Governor invoked 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution of India to dismiss employees that provides powers of termination “in the interest of the security of the state,” and that “it is not expedient to hold inquiry before the removal or dismissal of a civil servant, if the President or Governor, as the case may be, is satisfied.”

One of the employees was said to have links with the Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit.

While reacting to the order, Omar Abdullah said the terminated employees, who included a police constable, should be listened to and that appropriate action be taken, if they fail to prove innocence.

Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Omar said that everyone is innocent until proven guilty as per the law of the land. "If there is evidence against them (terminated employees) and they are given a chance to justify themselves, but they could not, then it is fine," he said.

The terminations have evoked sharp reactions from political parties. Member of Parliament (MP) from north Kashmir and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) chief Sheikh Rashid in his meeting with the LG urged him to consider re-examining the cases of terminated employees.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti earlier  wrote to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, asking him to form a committee to review the cases of terminated government employees. “The pattern of abrupt dismissal of government employees has devastated many families in the region.”

In today’s order, the Lieutenant Governor dismissed 3 employees including a police constable lodged in jail for their involvement in activities “deemed prejudicial to the security of the state.”