The administration of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) dismissed three government employees for alleged anti-national activities.
Shaleen Kabra, Financial Commissioner in the Jal Shakti department, issued separate orders to “remove” three employees from service for their involvement in “anti-national and subversive activities”. The three employees of the department were identified as Showkat Ahmad Zargar, Liyaqat Ali Bhagwan and Kousar Hussain Bhagwan.
Mr Zargar, a daily wager from Bijbehara in Anantnag, reportedly faced charges under Sections 307 of the Ranbir Penal Code, 7/27 Arms Act and Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA, which deal with “conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, harboring terrorists and membership/support of a terrorist organisation”, officials said.
Liyaqat Bhagwan, from Kishtwar’s Bhagwan Mohalla, was a casual laborer posted to Berwar in Kishtwar. Officials said he also faced charges under Sections 13, 18, 19, 38 and 39 of the UAPA. “The case is currently pending,” officials said.
A third employee, Kousar Bhagwan, a resident of Hunjala in Kishtwar, who was a casual labourer, also faces charges under Sections 13, 18, 19, 38 and 39 of the UAPA. The case is currently in court.
Ruling National Conference lawmaker Salman Sagar said, “Firing employees should not become a tool of victimization. If someone is accused of anti-national activity, he must be given a fair opportunity to present his side before his life is ruined.”
As of 2020, around 85 government employees have been sacked under LG’s administration in Kashmir. LG started laying off employees after the provisions of Article 311 were amended in J&K in 2020.
Published – 10 March 2026 20:58 IST
