A day after the BJP sought security for its workers in the Valley, Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday held a meeting in Srinagar and asked the security agencies “to give due consideration to the genuine apprehensions of political activists working at the grassroots level”.
‘Close watch’
“There is a need to constantly maintain a close watch on the ground situation. Leaders of different political parties and other organisations may also raise their security concerns with the security headquarters of the J&K police. Due diligence of threat perception will be carried out by the intelligence agencies before any provision of personal security to persons with a perceived threat,” Mr. Malik said during the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Adviser to Governor K. Vijay Kumar, Chief Secretary B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh, Additional Director General of Police Security Muneer Ahmed Khan and Inspector General of Police S.P. Pani.
The Governor said he would invite leaders of different political parties to discuss their security concerns and ways to address them “to create a secure political and governance environment for one and all”.
Inquiry ordered
The Governor also ordered an inquiry into all attacks that have taken place since October 2018 against political leaders or workers in Kashmir. A report would be filed within 15 days “with appropriate recommendations”, an official said.
For elected sarpanches, municipal councillors, mayors and presidents, it was decided that they would be provided a secure room for their stay either at the State or the district level.
The J&K administration had on February 20 decided to withdraw security to 18 Hurriyat leaders and 155 political persons and activists, including Shah Faesal, who resigned from the IAS, and Peoples Democratic Party leader Wahid Parray. It was followed by withdrawal of security to leaders of the National Conference and the PDP.
Over 1,000 police personnel and over 100 vehicles were freed to do regular police work, the administration said.
Alarm bells
However, the killing of BJP leader Gul Muhammad Mir, 60, in south Kashmir on May 4 outside his residence has set the alarm bells ringing. The BJP hit the streets in Srinagar on Tuesday to demand security for its workers in Kashmir.