Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti has asked Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to form a high-level committee to reassess the dismissal of government employees over the past five years.
In recent years, the J&K government has dismissed more than 60 employees, citing them as a “threat” to state security. These dismissals were carried out under Article 311 (2)(c) of the Indian Constitution, which allows the government to terminate employees without giving any reason or conducting an inquiry.
Mufti shared her letter on social media, expressing concern for the families affected by these dismissals, which she described as “arbitrary” and based on “flimsy grounds” without a fair investigation or trial. “Hope Omar Sb takes a humanitarian view to alleviate the sufferings of these families,” she posted on X.
Have written to honourable CM about the sad plight of the families whose members have been arbitrarily dismissed from government services on flimsy grounds without a thorough investigation and fair trial. Hope Omer Sb takes a humanitarian view to alleviate the sufferings of… pic.twitter.com/L22d2gmCfi
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 11, 2024
In her letter, Mufti emphasized the impact of these dismissals across the region. “The abrupt dismissal of government employees without due process—a pattern that began in 2019—has left many families devastated and, in some cases, destitute,” she wrote.
Mufti recalled a recent visit to the family of Nazir Ahmad Wani in Bellow, Pulwama. Wani, a Tehsildar, was dismissed under Article 311, arrested under UAPA, and spent years in jail before being acquitted of all charges. He later developed serious health issues and died of a cardiac arrest on October 27, 2024. His family, including his wife and five children, now faces financial struggles due to bureaucratic delays in accessing his pension and entitlements.
“The dismissal of individuals like Mr Wani, without inquiry or opportunity for defense, impacts families and creates uncertainty for all government employees in Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing these injustices is urgent,” she wrote.
Mufti proposed a committee to reexamine such cases fairly, allowing affected individuals or their families to present their case. She also called for immediate assistance for families in distress, like Wani’s, to ensure they receive financial relief and prompt processing of entitlements.
She recommended policy reforms to require a full inquiry and legal oversight before any dismissal. “Mr. Nazir Ahmad Wani’s case serves as a somber reminder of the impact of administrative overreach. I urge prompt action to correct these wrongs, bringing both relief and justice to those enduring such hardship,” she concluded.
