Kashmir staff fired

INDIAN Kashmir last Saturday (13) sacked four government employees, citing their involvement in activities “prejudicial to the interests of the security of the state”.

One of those dismissed is the son of the leader of a militant group fighting against India in the region, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan.

Also dismissed were two professors at Kashmir University that the administration claims were radicalising students to advance Pakistan’s agenda, as well as a

woman working in rural development that the administration says was funding anti-India activities.

“They have been found involved in activities prejudicial to the interests of the security of the state,” senior government officials said, adding all four employees were dismissed with immediate effect.

In the past year, Indian administered Kashmir has terminated the contracts of at least 30 government employees for alleged militancy links, under a law which enables it to sack employees without an inquiry.