In Kashmir from the past two years, nearly 100 government employees including officers were terminated from their services. Some were accused of being involved in the “anti-national activities”, some described as deadwood and many blamed for involvement in the corruption and indiscipline.
The government had last year formed a committee to review the cases of government employees and on the recommendations of that committee the employees are shown the door. In April, the L-G had set up a special task force to scrutinise and recommend cases for removal from government services, for alleged terror links, under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution.
Fearing action many officers had opted for VRS, however, still there are a good number of employees and officers against whom there are established cases of corruption but they haven’t been touched yet due to their top connections.
Recently the cases of corruption in SSRB especially in selection of sub inspectors, came to fore but the action is still awaited against top bureaucrats who are still on their chairs though some officers were removed from the plum posts.
Last week 36 policemen including officers were terminated on corruption charges and a few days later five employees were dismissed for “anti-national activities”.
The five employees were dismissed under Article 311 of the Constitution of India for their involvement in anti-national activities.
Article 311 of the Constitution of India, provides for dismissal of a person employed in civil capacities under Union or a State.
The dismissed employees were identified as Tanveer Saleem Dar, constable in Auxiliary Wing of J&K Police. Syed Iftikhar Andrabi, VLW, Rural Development Department (Panchayat Secretary), Irshad Ahmad Khan, orderly cum chowkidar in Jal Shakti department, Baramulla, Afaq Ahmad Wani, Manager Baramulla Central Cooperative Bank Ltd, Abdul Momin Peer, Assistant lineman, PHE sub division.
“The activities of these employees had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they have been found involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the security of the State,” the official spokesman said adding that a committee constituted vide Government Order No. 738-JK(GAD) of 2020 dated 30.07.2020 for scrutinizing the inputs, records and cognizable material recommended dismissal of these employees.
The spokesman said that Tanveer Salim always subscribed to the secessionist and radical ideology.” He has been found involved in a number of terror activities and an active courier of the militant outfits. He is figuring in Case FIR No. 114/2003 U/S 302,307,120-B etc etc He is also figuring in case FIR No. 145/2003 U/S 302, 307 , 120-B registered with Police Station KothiBagh Srinagar.”
Syed Iftikhar Andrabi , has worked as an overground worker for LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen. “He had developed close links with POK based terrorists and got involved in Narco terror financing. He can be described as a double agent as he maintained very close relations with Indian Law Enforcement agencies. He is also figuring in case FIR No. 183/2020, PS Handwara which has been transferred to NIA,” the spokesman said.
As per the government order Irshad Ahmad Khan has been found involved in helping terrorists in carrying out terror activities. “He has been found involved in facilitating terrorists to move out of India. He is figuring in case FIR, No 201/2013 U/S 7/27, 307, 109 , Case FIR No. 101/2015, U/S 307. Case FIR No106/2015 and case FIR no. 336/2017 U/S 13 ULAP.”
Government said that Afaq Ahmad Wani has been part of a Narco Terror module. “He is involved in Case FIR No. 183/2020 U/S 8/21, NDPS Act, PS Handwara. A large amount of cash and Heroin has been recovered from his possession. He is involved in sale, purchase, transportation, warehousing and possession of narcotic drug Heroin,” the spokesman said adding that Abdul Momin Peer, is involved in narco terror financing, has been part of the distribution network. “He has visited Pakistan in 2016 and 2017 with the aim of developing an understanding of the broader objectives of terror–separatist campaigns. A huge recovery of Heroin has been made from his possession. He is co-accused in case FIR.No.183/2020, Police Station Handwara.”
The spokesman said that acting tough on such elements, the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards anti-national elements who have been taking refuge as being associated with the government machinery. “Prior to these five dismissals, 39 govt officials have been dismissed, invoking provisions of Article 311 of constitution of India. In future also the government will not hesitate in taking stern actions against these anti national elements.”
The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration had ordered the premature retirement of 36 police personnel citing a lack of performance and involvement in corruption and anti-social activities.
Earlier the government had terminated the services of Anees-us-Islam, grandson of separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who was working as a research officer at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre.
Even two sons of Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin were also sacked along with 11 government employees in July this year.
The dismissals, however, attracted sharp reactions from various mainstream political parties and employees’ unions, who claimed the sackings were done on “flimsy grounds”.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti earlier had lashed out at the Centre for dismissing government employees in Kashmir on what she said were “flimsy grounds”.
“In the middle of a pandemic, GOI should focus on saving lives instead of firing government employees on flimsy grounds in Kashmir,” she had said in a tweet soon after first termination earlier this year.
“No wonder its misplaced priorities have converted India into shamshan ghats and kabristans. The living continues to suffer and the dead are deprived of dignity,” she said.
The National Conference spokesman said that NC will always support measures that are aimed at targeting corrupt people, corruption but the way this LG admin is operating in this regard is arbitrary. “There still has been no serious headway in identifying those who are involved in multi crore cash for job scam in the recently scrapped SI, FAA and other such exams. Why is there no inquiry being held where lower rung employees are alleged to be involved? This selective approach employed by the admin is very fishy. Is the government trying to protect some people? We need answers.”
