Srinagar, March 10 : In a major crackdown against elements with anti-national affiliations, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday terminated the services of three employees of the Jal Shakti (Public Health Engineering) Department for their alleged involvement in subversive activities.
Official sources said that the disengagement orders were issued by the department “in the interest of administration” following specific references from the Home Department.
Among those terminated is Showkat Ahmad Zargar, a resident of Bijbehara in Anantnag district, who was working as a Daily Rated Wager. According to officials, a case (FIR No. 53/2019) was registered against Zargar under several charges, including Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC), the Arms Act, and the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The chargesheet in the matter has already been filed in a court, where the trial is currently underway.
In a separate but similar action, the administration showed the door to two Need Based Casual Labourers from Kishtwar district—Liyaqat Ali Bhagwan and Kousar Hussain Bhagwan. Both individuals were posted in the PHE division in Kishtwar.
Sources revealed that both Bhagwan and Hussain were implicated in FIR No. 230/2019, registered at a local police station under various sections of the UAPA. The investigation into the case has been concluded and a chargesheet has been filed, officials added.
The swift action by the Union Territory administration underscores its zero-tolerance policy towards any government employees found to be involved in activities detrimental to the security and sovereignty of the nation the officials further added. (KNS)
