SRINAGAR: Former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has written a letter to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, stating the severe impacts of the abrupt dismissal of government employees across Jammu and Kashmir since 2019.
In her letter, Mehbooba Mufti calls attention to the ‘lack of due process’ in these dismissals and urges the establishment of a review committee to address the consequences faced by affected families.
Mehbooba Mufti’s letter particularly cites the case of Nazir Ahmad Wani, a former Tehsildar from Bellow, Pulwama, whose dismissal under Article 311, along with his arrest under UAPA,.
“Though he was eventually acquitted, Wani’s experience took a toll on his health, ultimately resulting in his tragic passing from cardiac arrest on October 27, 2024. His family—left without adequate financial support—now struggles with bureaucratic delays in securing his pension and entitlements,” Mehbooba said in her letter.
“Witnessing firsthand the struggles of Mr. Wani’s wife and five children has underscored the need for immediate action,” Mehbooba wrote, emphasizing the hardship faced by families who depend on these dismissed employees.
She asserts that these dismissals, often conducted ‘without a chance for the accused’ to present their side, impact not only individuals but the broader atmosphere for government employees in the region.
In her appeal, Mehbooba Mufti proposes the formation of a committee to reassess cases such as Wani’s and suggests measures including a fair review process to allow affected families to present their case, fast-tracked financial support for families like Wani’s, and the implementation of guidelines mandating due inquiry and legal oversight before dismissals.
“Mr. Nazir Ahmad Wani’s case serves as a sombre reminder of the far-reaching impact of administrative overreach,” she wrote, urging the Chief Minister to act swiftly to correct these issues and bring relief and justice to the affected families. (KDC)
