The Governor’s administration in J&K on Wednesday downgraded the security provided to 18 separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat and Yasin Malik of the JKLF.
Besides, the security provided to 155 “political persons” — including the 2010 IAS topper Shah Faesal who later quit the service — was withdrawn.
This comes days after the security of top four separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was withdrawn in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.
“It was felt that providing security to separatist leaders is a wastage of scarce state resources, which could be better utilised elsewhere,” said the State Home Department spokesman.
“Over 1,000 police personnel and over 100 vehicles are freed to do regular police work,” the spokesman said.
JKLF’s Malik said, “I and Geelani enjoyed no security. The announcement is aimed to mislead.”