Three govt. employees terminated for ‘anti-national’ activities in J&K

The Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor’s administration terminated three government employees on Tuesday (March 10, 2026) for alleged anti-national activities.

Shaleen Kabra, a financial commissioner at the Jal Shakti Department, issued separate orders to “disengage” three employees from service for 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, allegedly faced charges under Sections 307 Ranbir Penal Code, 7/27 Arms Act, and Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA, which deals with “conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, harbouring terrorists, and membership/support of a terrorist organisation”, officials said.

Liyaqat Bhagwan, of Kishtwar’s Bhagwan Mohalla, was a casual labourer posted at Berwar in Kishtwar. Officials said he also faced charges under Sections 13, 18, 19, 38, and 39 of the UAPA. “The case is presently under trial,” officials said.

The third employee, Kousar Bhagwan, a resident of Hunjala in Kishtwar who was a casual labourer, is also facing charges under Sections 13, 18, 19, 38, and 39 of the UAPA. The case is presently in court.

Ruling National Conference legislator Salman Sagar said, “The termination of employees should not become a tool of victimisation. If anyone is charged with anti-national activity, they must get a fair chance to present their side before their lives are ruined.”

Around 85 government employees have been terminated under the L-G administration in Kashmir since 2020. The L-G began terminating employees came after provisions of Article 311 were amended in 2020 in J&K.