J&K Admin Fires 2 More Teachers Citing 'National Interest', Tainted Police Officer Davinder Singh Dismissed

Srinagar: The government of Jammu and Kashmir Union territory on Thursday dismissed three more employees from service, including tainted police officer Davinder Singh who was arrested on terror-related charges last year.

The general administration department issued three separate orders against these employees claiming that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was ‘satisfied’ after considering the ‘facts and circumstances’ of the cases that “warranted their dismissal” from service.

The LG-led government also dismissed two government teachers, Bashir Ahmad Sheikh and Mohammad Yousuf Ganie, as part of decisions, as per the order, that were in the interest of the security of the State. Sheikh belongs to North Kashmir’s Dildar Batpora village of Kupwara district of Karnah area and Ganie also belongs to Trich village of the same frontier district of Kupwara.

Authorities in the region have so far dismissed six of its employees under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India. The government had constituted a special task force in April to scrutinise employees who the authorities believed were working against the ‘interest’ of the State. Article 311 was extended to the region after the abrogation of Article 370. 

The task force works along with the members of what the government refers to as a Terror Monitoring Group (TMG), to identify employees that they believe have exhibited hostility against the State. As part of a strong official surveillance network, the group also works with other agencies and departments to identify employees they think can endanger the ‘national interest.’

Three government employees were dismissed earlier this month in the first instance of action against employees suspected of being involved in ‘anti-State’ activities since the task force was constituted. The dismissals drew significant condemnation with many regional political parties calling the action unjustified.

Singh, Deputy Suprintendent of Police, was suspended before his dismissal from services in the wake of fresh orders against him and is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) since he was caught ferrying a Hizbul Mujahideen militant Naveed Babu from Srinagar to Jammu in January 2020. It was a major arrest that led to the disclosure of one of the few police-militant networks operating in Kashmir in the recent years.

In subsequent arrests, the NIA carried out a series of raids and also arrested People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed ur Rahman Para in the case. However, his involvement has been vehemently denied by his party and colleagues. His arrest is being seen by many, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, as part of a larger crackdown on political parties in Kashmir to dismantle any opposition to the Bharaitya Janata Party (BJP) party ruling at the Centre.

The fresh move against the employees has caused a stir amongst a majority of government servants in the region. An employee in the education department told NewsClick that he believes the decisions are being taken ‘arbitrarily’ without considering the performance and behaviour of the employees into consideration.

“I fear this rule is being used to a great disadvantage against the employees, as within a month many of our colleagues have already been dismissed and many more fear it’s their turn next...simply because they think they have expressed disagreements in the past,” the employee said wishing anonymity.