Mehbooba Mufti urges Omar Abdullah to review cases of terminated employees
Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to establish a review committee to re-evaluate cases of employees dismissed by the Lieutenant Governor’s administration under New Delhi’s rule in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Mufti emphasized the need for a “fair and thorough review” of each termination, with an opportunity for affected employees and their families to present their case. She urged the creation of clear guidelines to prevent future dismissals without due process, recommending full inquiries and legal oversight before any employee termination.
“Such steps would not only provide relief to impacted families but also restore confidence among government employees,” she stated, citing the case of Nazir Ahmad Wani, a Tehsildar from Pulwama who was dismissed under Article 311 and arrested under draconian law UAPA. Though later acquitted, Wani’s health suffered during the prolonged process, leading to his recent death. His family now faces bureaucratic delays in accessing his pension.
Mufti noted that the dismissal of individuals without inquiry or defense impacts entire families and instills uncertainty among government workers in IIOJK. Both the PDP and National Conference (NC) had committed to addressing such cases in their manifestos.
Since 2021, over 60 government employees have been dismissed under an amended Article 311(2)(c) in IIOJK, which allows termination without departmental inquiry based on police or official reports.
