SRINAGAR: Stepping up its crackdown on individuals engaged in anti-national and extremist activities, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has dismissed three government employees over their involvement in terrorism-related cases.
The administration, under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, issued termination orders for police constable Firdous Ahmad Bhat, educator Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, and forest department worker Nisar Ahmad Khan.
According to official sources, the three individuals are currently imprisoned in separate cases, accused of actions deemed detrimental to state security. The administration exercised its authority under Article 311(2)(c) of the Indian Constitution, which permits the dismissal of government officials without a formal inquiry in cases concerning national security.
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Firdous Ahmad Bhat, serving as a police constable, was reportedly apprehended for his connections with terrorist groups operating in the region. Security agencies claim he assisted terrorists by providing logistical and operational support.
Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, a teacher, is accused of indoctrinating students with radical ideologies and maintaining ties with outlawed organizations.
Nisar Ahmad Khan, employed as an orderly in the forest department, allegedly facilitated the movement of terrorists through Kashmirโs dense forested areas.
This move is part of an ongoing drive by the J&K administration to purge government institutions of individuals with suspected terrorist affiliations. Since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, several government employees have been dismissed under similar circumstances.
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The latest action follows Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinhaโs high-level security review meeting in Srinagar on February 12, where he emphasized the need for intensified counter terrorism efforts and the dismantling of terror support structures. The LG called for an aggressive strategy to track and neutralize foreign terrorists active in the region.
On February 12 and earlier on February 5, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a security review in New Delhi, identifying the crackdown on terror financing, narco-terrorism, and terrorist networks as top priorities for the central government.
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Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has condemned the terminations, alleging that such dismissals have become routine since 2019. She expressed disappointment that the practice continues despite the presence of an elected government.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Mufti remarked, โArbitrary and summary dismissals of government employees have become a daily occurrence since 2019. What is most surprising is that this continues despite an elected government in power that had promised to end such practices.โ
She further stated that people had placed their hopes in the new administration, expecting it to push for relief and advocate on their behalf with the LG.
