The Jammu and Kashmir administration, led by lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha, has terminated 55 government employees for allegedly promoting militancy within the Union territory, according to Hindustan Times.
The dismissals were carried out after the revocation of J&K’s special status in 2019 and the establishment of a specialised task force in 2021 to identify such employees, the report said.
Speaking at the Shikara Fest, a cultural event in Delhi, Sinha emphasised the administration’s firm stance against providing financial support to those involved in militancy. He stated that the process of taking action against individuals aiding militancy would continue in the future.
In line with Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution, the administration has been dismissing government employees without inquiry if it deems it necessary for the security of the state. Since the formation of the special task force in April 2021, several prominent figures and individuals in crucial government positions have faced dismissals, including the chief manager of the J&K bank in August, and three government employees, including the public relations officer of Kashmir University, in July. Among those discharged are a chemistry professor, the sons of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin, and a deputy superintendent in the JK prisons department.
These actions have garnered criticism from trade union and political leaders. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti has condemned the dismissals as “arbitrary” and aimed at instilling fear in the Kashmiri population.
In recent months, the police in Kashmir seized numerous properties for their alleged involvement in aiding militants and providing support to them.
