PDP Leaders Criticize J&K LG’s Termination of Employees Over Alleged Terror Links

GG News Bureau
Jammu, 30th Nov. In a significant development in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered the termination of two government employees for their alleged links to terrorism, sparking criticism from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). The dismissed employees have been identified as Abdul Rehman Naika, a pharmacist in the health department, and Zahir Abbas, a teacher in the school education department. The government invoked Article 311 (2) (c) of the Constitution, which allows termination without a formal inquiry, after law enforcement and intelligence agencies reportedly established their terror affiliations.

PDP leaders quickly condemned the move. Waheed Para, the party’s MLA from Pulwama, took to social media, calling the action a “brazen overreach” and questioned the silence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the issue. “It’s shocking how the government acts as judge, jury, and executioner, denying the aggrieved even a proper hearing,” Para stated, urging Abdullah, who currently is on an Umrah pilgrimage, to address the matter.

Iltija Mufti, PDP President Mehbooba Mufti’s daughter, also expressed strong disapproval, calling it a case of “criminalisation” of livelihoods. “The newly-elected government is a mute bystander as more employees are fired on mere suspicion,” Mufti said, adding that the practice of labelling individuals guilty without evidence must stop.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has previously dismissed several employees under similar provisions, often citing security concerns. The latest terminations have raised alarms about due process and transparency in the handling of such cases.