Mehbooba Mufti Criticizes Dismissal of Employees Linked to Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir
Mehbooba Mufti, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, has criticized the recent dismissal of five government employees accused of links to banned terrorist organizations. She argues that such actions are arbitrary and unjust, affecting entire families and representing a form of collective punishment. Mufti's comments come in the wake of the Lieutenant Governor's decision, which the administration claims is necessary for national security. This situation highlights the ongoing tensions and challenges in the region, raising questions about the implications of such policies on the local populace.
| Jan 14, 2026, 13:06 IST
Mufti Condemns Dismissals as Unjust
Mehbooba Mufti, the former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and president of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), expressed her disapproval on Tuesday regarding the decision by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to terminate the services of five government employees due to alleged ties with banned terrorist organizations. In a post on X, Mufti described this action as arbitrary and unjust, warning that such measures have become dangerously normalized in the union territory.
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Mufti emphasized that this issue extends beyond just the employees involved. Each dismissal affects a family, plunging them into darkness, and represents a form of collective punishment that devastates entire households overnight due to the harsh policies of the Indian government. She criticized these policies for mocking the rule of law and disregarding due process. Her remarks came a day after the Lieutenant Governor ordered the dismissal of five employees accused of having active links with banned militant groups.
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According to official sources, those dismissed include a government school teacher, a laboratory technician, an assistant lineman, a forest department employee, and a driver working in the health and medical education department. Reports indicate that the driver, currently incarcerated in Srinagar's central jail, has been identified as a listed overground worker for Hizbul Mujahideen and is accused of maintaining regular contact with a handler based in Pakistan. The administration claims that this action was taken in the interest of national security.