Pulwama aftermath: J&K govt withdraws 5 separatist leaders’ security cover

Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, February 17

Seventy-two hours after the Pulwama suicide bombing left 40 CRPF jawans dead, the J&K Government on Sunday withdrew security cover of four senior separatist leaders, including Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who enjoyed Y-Category security.

Besides the Mirwaiz, the security cover of former Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone and Shabir Shah has been withdrawn, read the formal government orders issued today. 

Mirwaiz had nearly two-dozen policemen guarding him and his residence. 

The Hurriyat, however, said the separatist leaders had never asked for security and that they had repeatedly said the government can withdraw it.

Earlier, the J&K government had announced withdrawal of security of five separatist leaders, but in the formal orders issued in the evening said the security of four leaders was withdrawn, while as the name of separatist Hashim Qureshi was not in it.

As per the earlier statement , it was said all security and any vehicles provided to the separatists will stand withdrawn by Sunday evening. 

"No security forces or cover will be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists. If they have any other facilities provided by the government, they are to be withdrawn forthwith," the government order said, adding that police will review if there are any other separatists who have security or facilities and they will be withdrawn immediately.

Pro-Pakistan separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and JKLF chief Yaseen Malik have not been named in the withdrawal order as no security was provided with the duo.

Keeping in mind the threat to their lives from militant groups, the government had accordingly provided security cover to the leaders affiliated with Hurriyat led by the Mirwaiz.