Srinagar, Feb 16: Mehbooba Mufti, President of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), criticized the National Conference-led government in Jammu and Kashmir for dismissing three government employees due to alleged links to terrorism.
“People anticipated that the formation of the government would lead to a reduction in employee terminations, but that has not occurred,” Mufti remarked to reporters.
“Among those terminated is Constable Firdaus, who was injured by militants and has 85 stitches on his body,” she added.
On Saturday, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, issued an order dismissing the three employees—police constable Firdous Ahmad Bhat, teacher Mohammad Ashraf Bhat, and Nisar Ahmad Khan, an orderly in the Forest Department—due to their alleged terror links.
Mufti also pressed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on whether he would endorse the 2019 decision by Parliament that revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.
“I want to know if CM Omar Abdullah plans to support that decision. If he does, it will weaken our stance on Article 370 and 35A. Things are not normal in Jammu and Kashmir; the people appear quiet, but that doesn’t equate to normalcy,” she stated.
In response to the terminations, Omar Abdullah remarked that the Lieutenant Governor’s decision was “acceptable” if the dismissed employees had the opportunity to defend themselves.
“If there is sufficient evidence against them and they were allowed a chance to justify their actions but failed to do so, then it is reasonable. However, if this action was taken without hearing their side, the law affirms that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. They should have the right to present their case in court, and only then should appropriate actions be taken if they cannot prove their innocence,” he clarified. (Agencies)
