Guv Malik reviews security scenario in J-K following BJP leader's killing

Facing criticism over the issue of withdrawal of security to politicians in Jammu and Kashmir, Governor Satya Pal Malik Wednesday held a meeting to review the matter and decided to hand over an inquiry into attacks on leaders from the chief secretary to the additional director general of police. Following the killing of BJP leader Gul Mohammed Mir by militants in South Kashmir on Saturday, various political parties flayed Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam and Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra for what they termed as "lack of vision" on security issues.

A Raj Bhavan spokesman said the governor reviewed the security scenario and directed the administration to ensure the safety of protected persons and give due consideration to the genuine apprehensions of political activists working at the grassroots level. The spokesman said the governor also assigned the probe into the attacks on political leaders to Additional Director General of Police Muneer Khan.

Khan has been accused of favouritism while granting security to political persons. The spokesman said the governor directed that Khan would conduct the inquiry into all such attacks since October 2018. He said Khan would submit his report, covering all the relevant aspects, along with appropriate recommendations, within 15 days. In view of threats from militant groups to members of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayats, it was decided that elected Sarpanches, Municipal Councillors and Mayors/presidents, may be provided safe accommodation for their stay either at the state or district level.

"This will come into effect immediately and the Divisional Commissioners and IGs (inspectors general of police) will operationalise this after contacting the Sarpanches and ULB members," the spokesman said. The governor undertook a detailed review of the security-related issues at the meeting at the Raj Bhavan. He was given a sector-wise assessment of the prevailing security situation in the state, he said.

The meeting was attended by advisor to the governor, K Vijay Kumar, chief secretary B V R Subrahmanyam, DGP Dilbag Singh, principal secretary Home Shaleen Kabra, Principal secretary to governor Umang Narula and other officials from the police and civil administrations. The spokesman said that while expressing concern over the killings of political functionaries belonging to various political parties in the state in the past few months, the governor stressed the need for ensuring safety of protected persons and advised security agencies to give due consideration to the genuine apprehensions of political activists working at the grassroots level.

The governor reiterated the need to constantly maintain a close watch on the ground situation and underlined the importance of sustained efforts to bring peace and harmony in the society for the overall benefit of people, the spokesman said. "This is with a view to ensuring that all possible measures, general as well as specific, are taken for security of political workers to enable them to continue their political activities, particularly in view of the terrorist attacks on political workers in the recent past," the spokesman said.

During the meeting, the governor stated that leaders of different political parties and other organizations may raise their security concerns with the Security Headquarters of J-K Police and due diligence of threat perception would be carried out by the intelligence agencies before arriving at a decision on the provision of personal security to the persons with a perceived threat, the spokesman added. He said Malik would also be inviting leaders of different political parties in the state to discuss their security concerns and how to address them so as to create a secure political and governance environment for one and all.