CM wants to give them chance to prove innocence
Srinagar, Feb 15: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday dismissed three government employees on charges of their involvement in terror-related activities. They were sacked under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution, which authorizes the government to dismiss employees without an inquiry in the interest of national security.
Official sources told the news agency that all three individuals are currently incarcerated in separate terror-related cases. The terminated employees have been identified as Firdous Ahmad Bhat (police constable), Mohammad Ashraf Bhat (teacher), and Nisar Ahmad Khan (orderly working in the Forest department).
However, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that the employees, who have been terminated over alleged terror links, should be listened to and that appropriate action be taken, if they fail to prove innocence.
Speaking to reporters on the side-lines of the convocation ceremony of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Omar Abdullah said that everyone is innocent until proven guilty as per the law of the land. He was reacting to a query over the termination of three employees including Firdous Ahmad Bhat (Police Constable), Mohammad Ashraf Bhat (Teacher) and Nisar Ahmad Khan (Orderly in Forest Department) under proviso (c) of sub-section of Article 311 of the Constitution of India.
If there is any evidence against them (terminated employees) and they are given a chance to justify themselves, but they could not, then it is fine,” he said, adding that if a decision is taken without listening to them, then the law says everyone is innocent until proven guilty.
On being asked about the Wakf Amendment Bill, he said that it is against Muslims and there is no other reason behind it.
According to official sources, Firdous Ahmad Bhat was recruited as a special police officer (SPO) in 2005 and later promoted to constable in 2011. Bhat was posted at the electronic surveillance unit of the J&K Police, a position of strategic importance, but his involvement in militancy surfaced during a police investigation.
“He was secretly working for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). His activities came under scrutiny after the arrest of two suspected terrorists, Waseem Shah and Adnan Beigh, in Anantnag,” they said. Shah and Beigh were found in possession of a pistol and a hand grenade and were allegedly planning an attack on non-local civilians and tourists. “During the investigation, Bhat’s name surfaced as a handler for the terror group,” they said, adding that he was subsequently arrested in May 2024 and remains lodged in Kot Bhalwal Jail.
According to official sources, Mohammad Ashraf Bhat was also dismissed for alleged connections with terror outfits. “While specific details of his involvement remain undisclosed, sources claim that he was under constant surveillance for his suspected role in radicalizing youth and providing logistical support to militant groups,” they said.
According to sources, Nisar Ahmad Khan was also sacked on similar terror-related charges. “He had links to proscribed organizations and was allegedly involved in activities that posed a threat to national security. His name had reportedly come up in multiple intelligence reports, leading to his eventual termination,” they said.
