J&K govt dismisses 3 employees for 'anti-national activities'

Jammu, Feb 26 The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday dismissed three employees under Article 311 of the Constitution for their involvement in "anti-national activities", an official statement said.

Article 311 provides for dismissal of a person employed in civil capacities under Union or a State.

"The activities of these employees had come to the adverse notice of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as they found them involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the State, such as involvement in terror related activities and drug trafficking," official statement said.

Manzoor Ahmad Itoo, Junior Engineer, Public Works Department, in PMGSY, Bandipore, Syed Saleem Andrabi, orderly in Social Welfare Department, tehsil Handwara, Kupwara and Mohd Aurif Sheikh, teacher in Government Middle School, Pagihalla, Mahore, Reasi are the employees against whom action has been taken.

"Manzoor Ahmad Itoo had played an important role in mobilising people in support of the terrorists and also motivating youth to join terrorist ranks, which posed a serious threat to the security of the Indian State. Syed Saleem Andrabi has been found involved in drug trafficking. Further, Mohd. Aurif Sheikh, has been found involved in planting IEDs, on the instructions of terrorists operating from Pakistan, thus causing loss of human lives and damage to public properties," the official statement said.

It said that the government has adopted a Zero tolerance policy towards anti-national elements who have been taking advantage of being in government, and prior to these three dismissals, 44 government officials have been dismissed invoking provisions of Article 311.