Congress slams mass withdrawal of security of its leaders in J&K

NEW DELHI: Congress has protested mass withdrawal of security of its leaders in Jammu and Kashmir by the state government, alleging the move "reeks of bias" and has made political activists "soft targets" and "sitting ducks" for the terrorists.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said hundreds of BJP and PDP workers and their sympathisers, many of whom hardly played any role in politics, have been provided security cover.

Citing recent spurt in terrorist violence in the state, Azad has asked the Centre to restore the withdrawn security.

"In the wake of heightened terror activities, quite intriguingly, there has been mass withdrawal of personal security and vehicles of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), District Congress Committee (DCC) and Block Congress Committee (BCC) level office bearers of Congress party across the state, especially Kashmir Valley, Chenab and Pir Panjal region.

"Even the security complement of PCC President and senior level leaders across the state has been downgraded drastically in a whimsical and selective fashion," Azad said.

He said had it been done on a rational and non-partisan basis, and in an improving security environment, it would not have caused any heartburn.

"However, the manner it has been done by the state government, regrettably reeks of political bias. Hundreds of political activists, in a sudden move, have been made soft targets and sitting ducks to the bullets of terrorists operating in the state," said Azad, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

Quite surprisingly, hundreds of BJP and PDP workers and even their sympathisers have been provided security cover, and many of them have hardly played any role in politics. There are instances that a few shop owners in Chenab Valley having no concern with politics have been provided security cover, he said.

"As the decision of state government has generated anxiety and fear among political leaders or activists and their families, it may be fair and prudent to take all necessary steps to safeguard the lives of nationalist people in a state like Jammu and Kashmir," the Congress leader said.

He requested the Home Minister to ask the state government and concerned agencies to have a dispassionate look at the whole issue, without getting swayed by partisan considerations, and restore on immediate basis, the withdrawn security and vehicles of political workers of Congress party.