The Jammu and Kashmir government has terminated the services of three government employees, citing a “threat to the security of the state.” The terminations were carried out under Article 311(2)(C) of the Constitution, which allows the government to dismiss employees without conducting an inquiry.

The latest dismissals follow the termination of two doctors linked to the Shopian rape-murder controversy, also under the same law, less than a month ago. 

The individuals affected by the recent decision are Faheem Aslam, the public relations officer (PRO) of Kashmir University, Murawat Hussain Mir, a revenue officer, and Arshad Ahmad Thoker, a police officer.

Faheem Aslam, who has a Master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kashmir University, has been working as the PRO at the university since 2008. Previously, he served as a correspondent for the local English daily Greater Kashmir. 

Murawat Mir, a resident of south Kashmir, was appointed as a junior assistant in the revenue department in 1985. 

Arshad Thoker joined the J&K Police’s armed wing as a constable in 2006 and was later transferred to the Executive Wing in 2009.

Article 311(2)(C) empowers the government to terminate employees without seeking explanations or conducting inquiries into their conduct. In the past 18 months, approximately 52 employees have had their services terminated by the J&K government due to being perceived as a “threat” to state security. However, neither the terminated employees nor the media have been provided with the reasons behind these terminations.