Srinagar, Jul 12: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Saifuddin Soz on Monday said that ‘illegal dismissal’ of 11 government employees by administration will deepen the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Lt Governor’s administration in J&K has arbitrarily and illegally dismissed 11 government employees from Kashmir. This illegal action will not stand the test before any court of law,” Prof Soz said in a statement issued here.

He alleged that the government has violated the basic legal requirement of not giving the dismissed employees a chance to explain their position, before their dismissal. “The Lt Governor’s Administration has closed the doors to any conciliation and reconciliation with the Kashmiri employees. This illegal action will necessarily deepen the political unrest in J&K State,” he said.

Prof Soz said that the moot point is that the government is seen by the people as an entity that is unreasonable in its attitude and completely hostile towards the civilian population. “The government has shown to the world that it is totally shorn of any commitment to the principles of Governance,” he further alleged.

As many as 11 government employees from Kashmir, including two sons of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) chief Syed Salahuddin, were sacked for their alleged involvement in terror-funding activities. The services of these employees were terminated under Article 311(2)(c) of the Constitution, under which no inquiry is held. The action was taken following a recommendation by a designated committee in the Union Territory for looking into such cases. knt