Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 2: Gone are the days when a fleet of security would be seen guarding the houses, vehicles and family members of Kashmir based politicians. The government has withdrawn their security cover as they spend days of incarceration at different makeshift prisons in Kashmir.
As per the reports, the security of political leaders of various parties like Peoples Democratic Party, National Conference, peoples conference and others has been withdrawn by the government. As they have been detained at various make shit jails, their security cover has been withdrawn from their homes. Also, personnel posted at their residences have been transferred to other places.
An official told Early Times that this is the routine exercise and when the protected persons have been detained at various jails, there is no question of keeping their security staff intact and posted at their respective residences. "There were more than 10 security personnel posted with each of the politician. Now when the leader is itself under preventive custody, one wonders what for is the security staff. Same can be utilised to the fullest at the places where it is needed," sources said.
At least 50 mainstream political leaders also remain under house or preventive detention at Centaur sub-jail. National Conference patron Dr Farooq Abdullah was recently slapped with PSA and his Gupkar residence was turned into a sub jail.
As per the reports, apart from Mirwaiz, two leaders of National Conference, one each from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and two others, whose political affiliations were not immediately revealed, had signed the bonds assuring that they will not be involved in any political activity that could cause directly or indirectly any disturbance in law and order.
Pertinently, at least 36 detainees have been lodged in sub-jail Centaur since August 5. Mirwaiz was placed under house detention on August 5, in the wake of scrapping of Article 370 and Article 35 A. Mirwaiz, who has been a key leader of Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed Ali Geelani and JKLF chief Muhammad Yasin Malik. Geelani remains confined to his Hyderpora residence while as Malik has been booked by NIA court and stands lodged in New Delhi's Tihar. The trio had vociferously opposed any change in the State Subject Law guaranteed under Article 35A.
Kashmir has been under a tight grip of uncertainty post abrogation of Article 370 as the normal life has got badly affected with all the sectors shut while as internet has been completely suspended.
Now, what remains to be seen is that when the gag is lifted and the political leaders are from the preventive detention, will the earlier thick security cover be restored in their favour or they will have to be remain contented with no security at all.
The government so far has not given any hint of releasing the detained leaders from custody and it appears that till the occurrence of Durbar move, things will remain unchanged. |
