J&K Administration Terminates 86th Employee Under Anti-Terror Initiative
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday terminated a government employee in connection with alleged terror-related activities, marking the 86th such dismissal since the Lieutenant Governor-led administration began its crackdown in 2020, officials said.
The terminated employee was identified as Mohammad Shafi Malik, 51, a resident of Arwani in Bijbehara district. He served as an inspector at the Hassanpora Tawella office in the district. Police records show that Malik was named in multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) under sections of the Arms Act, as well as charges of rioting and unlawful assembly.
Since 2020, the administration has used amended provisions of Article 311 of the Constitution to dismiss employees without departmental inquiries. The amendment, introduced under the LG administration led by Manoj Sinha, allows termination based on security assessments without a formal inquiry.
The previous government, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, had opposed such dismissals in its election manifesto. However, no policy change could be implemented because law and order remains under the jurisdiction of the LG in the Union Territory.
The number of terminated employees, now at 86, reflects the administration's ongoing effort to address alleged militant sympathies within the government workforce. Critics argue that the lack of due process raises constitutional concerns, while supporters say the measures are necessary for national security.
No further details were provided about the specific allegations against Malik or the status of any ongoing legal proceedings.
