3 Jal Shakti dept workers dismissed in J&K for ‘anti-national activities’
Were working as daily-rated or casual labourers in the department
The Jammu and Kashmir government has disengaged three employees of the Jal Shakti Department for their alleged involvement in “anti-national and subversive activities.”
The employees were working as daily-rated or casual labourers in the department.
According to official orders, Showkat Ahmad Zargar, a resident of Iqbal Mohalla in Bijbehara, Anantnag, was working as a daily-rated wager (DRW) and posted in Bijbehara. He has been disengaged with immediate effect for his alleged involvement in anti-national and subversive activities.
The order stated that a case has been registered against him under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) pertaining to allegations of involvement in terrorist acts, conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, harbouring terrorists, and membership or support of a terrorist organisation.
The second employee, Kousar Hussain Bhagwan, a resident of Hunjala in Kishtwar district, was working as a need-based casual labourer and posted at Huller in the PHE Sub-Division Kishtwar. The order cited the registration of a case in 2019 under Sections 13, 18, 19, 38 and 39 of the UAPA, related to alleged involvement in terrorist activities, conspiracy, harbouring terrorists, and membership or support of a terrorist organisation.
The third employee, Liyaqat Ali Bhagwan, a resident of Bhagwan Mohalla in Huller, Kishtwar district, was working as a need-based casual labourer and posted at Berwar in Kishtwar. He has also been disengaged with immediate effect on similar allegations of anti-national and subversive activities. The order referred to a 2019 FIR related to alleged involvement in terrorist acts, conspiracy to commit such acts, harbouring terrorists, and association with a terrorist organisation.
Over the last few years, the administration led by Manoj Sinha has dismissed several government employees over alleged terror links. Many of these dismissals were carried out under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution, which permits termination of a government employee without an inquiry in the interest of national security.
Since 2021, the Lieutenant Governor has ordered the dismissal of more than 80 government employees allegedly linked to militant organisations. The move has drawn criticism from political leaders in the Valley, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.
