Police and Security Services of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Responding to the concerns raised by members of the National Council, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said that if the people holding the flag are not safe, then the flag will not be safe in Kashmir. “Security should not be taken lightly in J&K,” Rather said, adding that the government should either declare J&K a risk-free venue for politicians and political parties or ensure proper security.
“The recent narrow escape of Dr. Farooq Abdullah, following which you have unfortunately withdrawn security from the North Carolina office where he frequents, is unfortunate,” the Speaker said. “It’s a matter of those who raise the tricolor; they should stay safe.”
The Congress also claimed that the security cover of its J&K unit chief Tariq Hameed Karra had been withdrawn and that the police had informed him that they did not have petrol for the escort vehicle and security personnel.
Earlier, the issue was raised by NC legislators, with Hasnan Masoudi saying that instead of tightening security measures after Abdullah’s attack, the NC office withdrew the measures, while Nazir Qurezi claimed that the LG government would be held responsible if anything bad happens. Javed Baig claimed that NC was being specifically targeted and questioned why security arrangements at the offices of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh were not withdrawn.
Salman Sagar, NC MLA from Hazratbal, said security arrangements for three Srinagar MLAs have been withdrawn despite being included in the terrorist “blacklist”. “My district SHO told me not to visit my constituency after 4 pm and this is happening in Srinagar,” he said.
Nizamuddin Bhat, MP from Bandipora, said security was a common concern of all parties in J&K and should not be seen as a largesse from the government. He said Kara had told the SSP concerned that he was willing to provide the gas himself, but security measures were still lifted. Butt said his own security had also been removed despite coming from the restive Bandipora region.
Even the BJP’s SS Slatya asked the government to restore everyone’s security, but added that the NC should not blame the BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or the LG.