Police and security in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir come under
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Reiterating the concerns raised by NC members, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said the national flag will not be safe in Kashmir if those carrying it are unsafe. “Security issues in Jammu and Kashmir should not be taken carelessly,” Rather said. He said the administration should either declare Jammu and Kashmir a risk-free place for politicians and political parties, or ensure proper security.
“Recently, Dr Farooq Abdullah had a narrow escape and after that, you removed security from the NC office, where he visits regularly, which is unfortunate,” the Speaker said. “It is a question of those who raise the tricolor, they should be safe.”
The Congress also claimed that the security of its Jammu and Kashmir unit chief Tariq Hameed Karra has been withdrawn and the police have informed him that they do not have petrol for escort vehicles and security guards.
Earlier, the issue was raised by NC MLAs, with Hasnain Masoodi saying that instead of increasing security at the NC office after the attack on Abdullah, it was withdrawn, and Nazir Gurezi saying that the LG administration would be responsible if any untoward incident occurred. Javed Baig alleged that the NC was being specifically targeted, and questioned why security was not removed from BJP and RSS offices.
NC MLA from Hazratbal Salman Sagar said that despite being in the hitlist of terrorists, the security of three MLAs from Srinagar has been withdrawn. He said, “The SHO of my area is telling me not to go to my constituency after 4 pm and the same is happening in Srinagar.”
Congress MLA from Bandipora Nizamuddin Bhat said security is a common concern for all parties in Jammu and Kashmir and should not be treated as leniency by the administration. He said that Karra had told the concerned SSP that he himself was ready to provide petrol, but still the security was removed. Bhat said that despite being from the volatile Bandipora district, his own security has also been withdrawn.
Even BJP’s SS Salathia demanded that the government should restore everyone’s safety, but added that the NC should not blame the BJP, RSS or the LG.
