Jammu and Kashmir govt sacks four govt officials citing alleged terror links – JURIST

The General Administration Department (GAD) of Jammu and Kashmir, India, on Saturday issued dismissal orders against four employees, accused of posing a threat to the security of the Indian state. Those targeted by the decision were constables Abdul Rehman Dar and Ghulam Rasool Bhat, teacher Shabir Ahmad and Anayatullah Shah Pirzada, assistant lineman in the state's Jal Shakti department.

The orders were issued by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in accordance with Article 311(2)(c) of the Indian Constitution, which authorizes the government to dismiss employees without investigation in the interest of national security. The government accused the employees of supplying ammunition to terrorists, maintaining their weapons, inciting violent protests to perpetuate instability in Jammu and Kashmir and aiding terrorist infiltration.

The administration has been criticized by political parties for the high number of layoffs compared to new hires. Yusuf Tarigami, spokesperson for the PAGD, a political alliance pushing for greater regional autonomy, and general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), had previously expressed concerns about employee layoffs, saying in November 2023:

Terminating the services of government employees without giving them a chance to be heard is not only unjust but also a travesty of justice. Reiterating our call to create employment opportunities rather than seizing livelihoods

As a result of these four layoffs, 61 Jammu and Kashmir government employees have now been terminated under Section 311(2)(c) during the tenure of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Jammu and Kashmir .