Three Jal Shakti workers dismissed in J&K for alleged anti-national activities

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday dismissed three workers of the Jal Shakti Department over their alleged involvement in “anti-national and subversive activities”, officials said.

The dismissed employees have been identified as Liyaqat Ali Bhagwan and Kousar Hussain Bhagwan , both residents of Kishtwar district in the Jammu region, and Showkat Ahmad Zargar from Bijbehara in Anantnag district of south Kashmir.

According to an official order issued by Shaleen Kabra , Financial Commissioner of the Jal Shakti Department, Liyaqat Ali Bhagwan was working as a need-based casual labourer and was posted at Berwar in Kishtwar. Kousar Hussain Bhagwan, son of Mohammad Akbar Bhagwan, was also engaged as a need-based casual labourer at Huller under the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Sub-Division in Kishtwar.

Showkat Ahmad Zargar was employed as a daily-rated wager in the Bijbehara area of Anantnag district, the order stated.

According to officials, the three workers were allegedly involved in terror-related and subversive activities, including harbouring militants and supporting a terrorist organisation . Cases against them have been registered under Sections 18 (conspiracy for terrorist acts), 19 (harbouring terrorists), 20 (membership of a terrorist organisation), and 38/39 (support to a terrorist organisation) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act , along with other criminal provisions, and are currently under trial.

Officials said the workers were removed from service as part of the government’s policy of taking strict action against employees suspected of activities considered detrimental to national security.