SRINAGAR: In wake of the killing of a BJP councillor in Tral, the security of political beings is back in teh public debate. This time, however, the marginalised Kashmir politicians are sharing their stories about how the government is preventing them from securing themselves.
The government withdrew security to most of the political workers days before they were permitted to move out of the “elite” prison. Now some of them are trying to invest in their own security but they allege they are facing the problem.
Sajjad Lone was the first to share his experience on social media by sharing a series of tweets.
“So much about security u talk after someone dies. We know how u use security as a tool. I m supposed to b Z plus category. Have brought a private vehicle, bullet-proofed it. Is lying at the factory on Chandigarh,” he said in a tweet, “Because clearance not given. For 3 months the ADG security has not put his signature on an approval. This is with someone who apparently has Z plus. What would u do with lesser mortals with lesser levels of security?”
Lone added further: “Problem is not all urs. Post-August 5 there is a perception that the political class in JK r thieves thugs etc etc. and the officer class including the police have actually begun to believe in it. Politicians r supposed to be dispensable – politically, socially and now physically.”
It was Omar Abdullah seconding what Lone said. He wrote on his Twitter handle: “Agree 100%. We also wanted to order 2 bulletproof vehicles for our senior Kashmir based office bearers who are being denied proper protection out of spite. The permission request is collecting dust on some desk in the administration.”
These tweets came days after, Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: “In J&K besides security COVID has become another excuse to prevent me from reaching out to people in distress. GOI wants to obfuscate the truth & brush such tragedies under the rug.”
