The Jammu and Kashmir administration, on Saturday (October 16), sacked Anees-ul-Islam, the grandson of pro-Pakistan separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, from government service for aiding terrorist activities in the union territory.
Farooq Ahmad Butt, a government teacher in Doda, has also been sacked over terror links.
Anees was appointed a research officer in Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in 2016. It is one of the most prestigious conventions and conference facilities of the Jammu & Kashmir government and is used for high-level meetings and VVIP conferences.
News18 reported “Anees had travelled to Pakistan from July 31 and August 7, 2016, and met Colonel Yasir of the Inter-Services Intelligence at his grandfather’s behest”.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani died on September 2 this year.
According to reports, Anees’ appointment was influenced by the Mehbooba Mufti government in the wake of violence in the Valley in 2016 after terrorist Burhan Wani was neutralized by the security forces.
Reports suggested that Anees was in touch with the ISI and passing them crucial information about the security situation in the Jammu & Kashmir.
Butt’s brother, Mohd Amin Butt, is a Pakistan-occupied Kashmir based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist and his another brother, Safdar Ali, is in jail for terror activities.
On August 5, 2019, the Union Government abolished Article 370 which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir. The Jammu & Kashmir state was reorganized as two union territory: Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh.
As reported by the Organiser, earlier in July, the Jammu & Kashmir administration had sacked 11 of its employees, including sons of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin and two from the police department over allegations of similar nature.
In a big movein September this year, the Jammu & Kashmir Government had sacked six employees over their alleged terror links, including working as overground workers for the terrorist groups.
Two constables, two teachers, a senior officer of the Forest Department and an employee in the R&B Department, were among those given the marching orders.
The Government issued the order after a designated committee in Jammu & Kashmir was set up to scrutinise and recommend cases under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution of India. It recommended their removal from Government service over their terrorist links.
Prior to this, DSP Devendra Singh was also dismissed from the service.
He was arrested on January 11 last year along with Naveed Babu, when their car was intercepted by Jammu and Kashmir police near Qazigund on the national highway.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, three pistols and a cache of ammunition and explosives. The NIA took over the case on January 17.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency is also investigating a case of narco-terrorism where employees of a cooperative bank were arrested for terror funding.
Jammu & Kashmir Government sacks six employees over terror links
In a big move, Jammu & Kashmir Government has sacked six employees over their alleged terror links, including working as overground workers for the terrorist groups, on September 22.
According to sources, two constables, two teachers, a senior officer of the Forest Department and an employee in the R&B Department, are among those given the marching orders.
Following are the details of the sacked employees: Hamid Wani R/O Bijbehara, Anantnag ( Teacher), Jaffer Hussain Butt R/O Kishtwar (Constable), Mohd Rafi Butt R/O Kishtwar, (Junion Assistant) Road & Building Dept, Liyaqat Ali Kakroo R/O Baramulla (Teacher), Tariq Mehmood Kohli R/O Poonch (Range Officer) Forest Department, Showkat Ahmad Khan R/O Budgam (Constable).
The Government issued the order after a designated committee in Jammu & Kashmir was set up to scrutinise and recommend cases under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution of India. It recommended their removal from Government service over their terrorist links.
Earlier in July, the Jammu & Kashmir administration had sacked 11 of its employees, including sons of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin and two from the police department over allegations of similar nature. Prior to this, DSP Devendra Singh was also dismissed from the service.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency is also investigating a case of narco-terrorism where employees of a cooperative bank were arrested for terror funding.
In an important move on September 16, it was decided that the Government of J&K headed by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha will undertake discrete verification of the character and antecedents of its employees in the wake of the reports of direct or indirect involvement of some of the Government employees in terror activities.
In the order issued by the General Administration Department under the signature of Manoj Kumar Dwivedi (Commissioner/ Secretary of the Government), the administration has once again asserted that it is mandatorily required for employees to maintain absolute integrity, honesty and allegiance to the Union of India and its Constitution and do nothing unbecoming of a Government servant.
The Government order further notes that employees are bound by the J&K Government Employees Conduct Rules, 1971.
The administration has categorically defined parameters of discrete verification under seven broad categories. This includes involvement in any act of sabotage, espionage, treason, terrorism, subversion, sedition, secession, facilitating foreign interference, incitement to violence or any other unconstitutional act. Employees must not keep any association or have sympathy with those attempting to commit any of the above acts or involved in aiding or abetting, or advocating the above acts.
In July 2020, the Jammu & Kashmir Government had introduced amendments in the service rules of employees to spot and quick dismissal of employees who are a threat to the security of the newly formed Union Territory. The amendments were made to terminate anti-national employees without facing judicial scrutiny if the evidence is concrete.
