2 govt teachers dismissed over suspected terror links

The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, on Thursday terminated the services of two government teachers “in the interest of security of the state”, bringing the total number of sacked employees to over 80 during the past four years.

The dismissed teachers belong to Rajouri and Reasi district that have witnessed rise in terror activities during the past some years. Many over-ground workers (OGWs) have also been arrested from these areas in the recent past.

The teachers who have been dismissed from service are Maajid Iqbal Dar, a resident of Rajouri, and Ghulam Hussain of Reasi. It has been learnt that the teachers allegedly have links with a terror organisation.

The termination order stated, “The Lieutenant Governor is satisfied after considering the facts and circumstances of the case and on the basis of the information available that the activities of Maajid Iqbal Dar, teacher in the School Education Department, resident of Ward No. 1, Kheora, Rajouri district, are such as to warrant his dismissal from service”.

The order added that L-G 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 Maajid Iqbal Dar.

“Accordingly, the Lieutenant Governor hereby dismisses Maajid Iqbal Dar from service with immediate effect,” the order read.

A similar dismissal order was issued for Ghulam Hussain, who is a resident of Kalwa Mulass, Mahore tehsil in Reasi district.

L-G Manoj Sinha has, in the past four years, dismissed over 80 government employees for their alleged links to terror organisations, narco-terrorism and other grievous crimes.

The issue soon became political with leaders started to comment on the dismissal of the two employees on Thursday.

While talking to reporters in Handwara, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated, “I have always said that termination (of service of employees) should be done through the courts. Everyone has the right to present their side. This process doesn’t allow the employees to present their side. It has also been seen that these employees go to the courts and their jobs are restored. Those who are actually responsible should be punished, but it should not happen only on the basis of doubt.”

Meanwhile, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti in a post on X stated, “Two more government employees have been terminated over alleged terror links and denied even the chance to prove their innocence. This fuels concerns of a wider agenda to disempower Muslims, especially Kashmiris.”