UP power department sacks lineman for waving Palestine flag | India News – The Times of India

MEERUT: UP Power Company (UPPC) has dismissed a contractual lineman for allegedly waving the Palestinian flag after providing namaz on Eid within the Gagalheri police station space of UP’s Saharanpur district.
The motion got here after Saqib Khan, 35, a resident of Kailashpuri village in Saharanpur, posted {a photograph} of himself holding the Palestinian flag on social media.
Police summoned Khan for questioning on the identical day and interrogated him for two hours earlier than releasing him with none expenses. Nonetheless, native proper-wing teams warned of public demonstrations if motion was not taken. TOI tried to achieve Khan for a response, however he was unavailable.
‘Staff should comply with code of conduct, keep away from anti-nationwide actions‘
UPPC’s Baliakheri sub-divisional officer Shishir Kumar Chahi stated, “Khan was posted on the Kailashpur power substation underneath the Baliakheri electrical energy distribution division. As quickly because the matter got here to our discover, his companies have been terminated instantly. We examined the conduct of different workers as nicely, however Khan alone was discovered concerned on this anti-nationwide exercise.”
One other contractual lineman in Meerut, who requested anonymity, stated most contracts define clear phrases – “workers should comply with a code of conduct, keep away from any anti-nationwide exercise, and avoid corruption or prison involvement. If these situations are breached, employers have the best to terminate the contract immediately”.
He added, “The set of guidelines stays roughly the identical in each contract. Nonetheless, the phrases and situations could range relying on the corporate that holds the tender to handle contractual workers. In case of termination, the lineman can problem the choice in court docket.”
UPPC govt engineer Sanjeev Kumar wrote to the non-public firm that employed Khan, directing them to terminate his companies with quick impact, based mostly on paperwork accessed by TOI. In his letter, Kumar stated Saqib was discovered concerned in “anti-nationwide actions” by waving the Palestinian flag and sharing the picture on-line.
Saharanpur (metropolis) SP Vyom Bindal stated, “The matter is underneath investigation and acceptable motion shall be taken based mostly on the findings of the probe. Our major concern was to make sure there was no breach of peace. If any offence is established, needed authorized motion will comply with.”
UP police have registered a number of FIRs in opposition to unidentified people for waving the Palestinian flag in several areas of Meerut and Saharanpur.