Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha Dismisses Employee Over Alleged Terror Links

Srinagar, June 18: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has reportedly terminated the services of a government employee due to alleged connections with terrorism.

Officials confirmed that Mohammad Shafi, an inspector in the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (PDD), was dismissed for his purported links to terrorists.

“The LG has ordered the immediate removal of Mohammad Shafi from his position as an inspector in the Power Development Department,” officials stated.

Since taking office, the LG administration has dismissed nearly 90 government employees found to have ties to terrorist groups.

Shafi, a 51-year-old resident of Arwani village in Bijbehara, was named in three FIRs filed between 2017 and 2018 at the Bijbehara police station under various sections of the Ranbir Penal Code and the Arms Act. He is the ninth government employee to be removed this year.

In January, five employees were dismissed, followed by three more in March. Since 2019, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has removed 91 government employees for alleged terrorist affiliations and anti-national activities.

These dismissals are carried out under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution, which allows the LG’s administration to take action in the interest of state security without formal departmental inquiries.

On Thursday, another inspector from the Power Development Department was removed due to alleged involvement in militant activities.

In January and April, several employees, including a school teacher, a laboratory technician, and health department staff, were dismissed for allegedly maintaining contact with banned organizations like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.

Security and intelligence agencies compile dossiers detailing employees’ alleged involvement, including activities such as providing logistical and financial support to militants.

Under Article 311(2)(c), the LG administration can dismiss government employees based on national security concerns without conducting regular departmental inquiries.

Officials noted that the policy adopted since 2019 aims to identify and remove government employees allegedly engaged in activities harmful to national security.

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S.C.H/D.K.P