JAMMU, DEC 28: The deputy supreme commander of the outlawed Harkat-ul-Ansar (HUA), Ghulam Nabi Baba alias Parvez Baba, continues to be a ``missing employee'' for the Power Development Department (PDD) even after his arrest by the security forces in the Kashmir Valley about a fortnight ago.This, despite the fact that the State Police had asked the Government to dismiss him from service, besides detaining him under the Public Safety Act for a period of two years. Moreover, a court in Jammu has already issued an arrest warrant against Baba for his involvement in a bomb explosion.To justify its recommendations, the State Police has pointed out in its report that Baba is a ``hardcore fundamentalist'' and at present, a member of the supreme council of the HUA. He is ``involved in a number of brutal killings, gun running, funding of militancy, subversion of Government employees, total absence from duty and misuse of his position'', besides having knowledge of the foreign hostages issue, the report said.The report further said ``action under the relevant law of the land is also recommended against the Government employees who helped him and abetted militancy''.``We had asked the Home Department to formally supply us information about the arrest of Baba immediately after reading about his apprehension by the security forces in newspapers,'' said a senior official at the PDD. He added ``we are still waiting for a formal intimation in the matter''. Baba is still a missing employee for the PDD, he said, adding normally, the Home Department is prompt in supplying information in such cases. The department cannot initiate action against any employee without first holding an inquiry, he added. As per the service rules, a Government employee who remains in police lock-up for 48 hours, is usually suspended. The information about the detention of the employee is supplied to the department concerned by the Home Department.However, in the present case, the Home Department is yet to inform the PDD about the arrest of Baba, sources said. This has led to delay in the suspension of the HUA deputy chief, he said.The Additional Chief Secretary (Home), I S Malhi, however, said it is not the Home Department but the District Superintendent of Police who informs the department concerned about the arrest of an employee. Normally, such information is passed on quickly even in cases of ordinary criminal nature, he said, adding it is certainly a ``system failure'' if the PDD is yet to be informed about Baba's arrest. Meanwhile, sources said the Power Development Commissioner, A K Raina, has decided to look into the postings and drawal of salary by Baba despite his absence from the duty.
