J&K CM Omar Abdullah questions dismissal of 3 govt employees by LG

The Jammu and Kashmir administration led by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had ordered the termination of the three for their alleged involvement in terror-related activities

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday questioned the "arbitrary" dismissal of three government employees by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on the charges of terror links and said that the law says "every accused person is innocent until proven guilty in the court".

The CM was replying to questions of reporters on the sidelines of the convocation of the Shri Mata Vaishnodevi University at Katra.

"If there is evidence against the dismissed employees and they have been given an opportunity to clear the allegations but failed, then their dismissal is fine. But if such a step has been taken without hearing them, the law says that every person accused of any crime is considered innocent until proven guilty," Omar said.

"There should be a court hearing and if they fail to prove their innocence, take whatever action you want," the chief minister said.