Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday sacked two government employees including a teacher for alleged anti national activities by invoking Article 311 of the constitution of India.
The sacked employees have been identified as Khurshid Ahmad Rather, a school teacher and Siyad Ahmad Khan, assistant stockman in the Sheep Husbandry Department. Both are residents of Kupwara district and both are in district jail Kupwara.
The employees were dismissed under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution of India, which empowers the government to terminate services without providing an opportunity for explanation or holding an inquiry into their conduct.
“The Lieutenant Governor is satisfied after considering the facts and circumstances of the case and on the basis of the information available, that the activities of Khurshid Ahmad Rather, Teacher in School Education Department, S/o Mohd Yousaf Rather, R/o Nawa Gabra Karnah, Kupwara are such as to warrant his dismissal from service,” read an official order.
“The Lieutenant Governor is satisfied under sub-clause (c) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India that in the interest of the security of the State, it is not expedient to hold an enquiry in the case. Accordingly, the Lieutenant Governor hereby dismisses Khurshid Ahmad Ratfier from service, with immediate effect,” the order read.
A similar worded dismissal order was issued to Siyad Ahmad Khan, an employee of the sheep husbandry department, and a resident of Keran.
Over 80 government employees in J&K have been dismissed under Article 311(2)(C) by Lt Governor administration since.
Official sources said two government employees were working for a terror outfit LeT and law enforcement and intelligence agencies had collected incriminating material evidence against them.
Sources said Khurshid Ahmad Rather was appointed as a ReT teacher in government service in 2003 and got confirmed as a teacher in 2008.
“Khurshid was working as OGW for LeT and became an active conduit for terrorist activities of LeT. Investigation revealed that Khurshid was given assignment to procure arms, ammunition and narcotics by LeT handlers sitting in Pakistan for further distribution among active terrorists operating in the valley. He was in touch with Pakistan based handlers Manzoor Ahmed Sheikh alias Shakoor and Javid Ahmed. The investigators have revealed that Khurshid had received several consignments containing weapons and narcotics through LoC at Karnah, Kupwara,” sources said.
They said weapons were supplied to active terrorists, while the proceeds from narcotics sales were used to fund terror operations.
“His role was exposed after law enforcement agencies received an input on 25th January 2024 that two Pakistani terrorists were involved in smuggling of arms with the help of 4 associates in Kupwara. These four names were Khurshid Ahmad Rather, Zahoor Ahmed, Ghulam Sarwar and Qazi Fazal. An FIR was registered and Zahoor Ahmed was picked for interrogation. Zahoor revealed the tentacles of his network and his other associates including Khurshid was arrested,” sources said.
They said on the basis of sustained interrogation of Khurshid and his associates, huge cache of arms and ammunition including 5 AK Type (Short) MP 5 rifles, 1 AK-47 rifle, 2 pistol, 5 MP 5 magazine, 2 pistol magazine, 1 AK-47 magazine, 20 AK-47 rounds were recovered.
Khurshid was arrested and is currently lodged at District Jail, Kupwara.
Sources further said Siyad Ahmad Khan was appointed as Assistant Stockman in the Sheep Husbandry Department in 2004.
“He willingly started working for LeT and was tasked to receive an infiltrating group of terrorists, sheltering them and transporting their arms and ammunition. According to investigators, Siyad Khan also started smuggling narcotics to sustain terror activities,” they said.
“He was intercepted and arrested on 12th January 2024 at Peer Baba Shrine, Keran, Kupwara by a Naka Party of J&K Police and Army. On search, 1 AK-47, was recovered from his possession which he was transporting for a terrorist. 1 Pistol, 1 Pistol magazine and 5 Pistol rounds were recovered from his associate Rafaqat Ahmed Khan,” sources said.
They said it was further revealed that Siyad was in touch with Pakistan-based handler Basharat Ahmed Khan who used to smuggle arms, ammunition and narcotics through Siyad and his associates at Keran near LoC fence for its further transport to active LeT terrorists to execute terror attacks in valley.
Lt Governor Sinha has taken a firm stance against terrorism and its ecosystem. His zero-tolerance policy against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is characterized by a multi-pronged approach that combines aggressive anti-terror operations, dismantling of support networks, strict legal action against facilitators, and community engagement to foster peace.
By aligning with national security strategies and emphasizing both security and development, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha's policy aims to eliminate terrorism and establish lasting stability in the region.