Kashmir: Three government employees, including a special police officer (SPO), were placed under suspension for taking part in political activities in violation of service rules in Poonch district, officials said Tuesday.

District Development Commissioner Rahul Yadav Monday ordered suspension of the three employees -- SPO Mohammad Shakoor attached with the district police lines, Basharat Khan, teacher at the higher secondary school in Harni village and Makhan Din, an employee of the Public Health Engineering, they said.

When contacted, Yadav said the employees were suspended for taking part in political activities in violation of service rules and an inquiry was ordered against them.

"The action against the erring employees was taken after several WhatsApp messages clearly show them raising slogans, holding flags and organising political rallies," he told PTI.

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees Conduct Rules, no government servant shall be a member of or be otherwise associated with any political party or organisation which takes part in politics nor shall he take part in, subscribe in aid of, or assist in any other manner, any political movement or activity.