AJK suspends 20 education employees over JAAC protest

MUZAFFARABAD:

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Education Department has suspended 20 serving and retired employees from the districts of Rawalakot and Sudhnoti for allegedly participating in the Joint Awami Action Committee's (JAAC) protest sit-in in Rawalakot.

The move comes as the government continues disciplinary action against public servants linked to the protest movement.

According to official sources, the suspended employees have been accused of taking part in the ongoing protest. The department has initiated disciplinary proceedings and appointed an inquiry officer from within the Education Department to investigate the allegations and determine their veracity.

The suspended employees include 15 teachers, of whom 12 are serving and three are retired. The remaining employees comprise three peons, one laboratory assistant and one clerk.

Sources said the action follows an earlier move by the authorities in the Rawalakot Division, who compiled a list of around 100 serving and retired government employees allegedly involved in, or facilitating, sit-ins organised by the JAAC. The list was forwarded to the relevant authorities for consideration of disciplinary action.