Editorial: Security Of Political Leaders Be Upgraded

2 mins read
Lower Kalnai HEP

On the first day when the Darbar resumed its functioning in summer capital Srinagar, the Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik was asked why he removed the security cover of protected persons in Kashmir in April this year. He was asked only after a killing of BJP leader Gul Mohammad took place in south Kashmir village after unknown gunmen fired upon him. Gul, the BJP leader was shot dead during the evening hours-barely a day before the last phase of polling took place that witnessed a feeble response.  According to some people Gul received five bullets-three in chest and two in abdomen and was brought dead to hospital in Srinagar.

He was serving as a vice president of Anatnag district for rightwing BJP and contested unsuccessfully in 2008 and 2014 Assembly elections form Dooru Assembly segment.  Reports suggest that Gul was also one among the 900 protected people who were stripped off the security cover recently by Governor.

Following this political killing the voting turnout remained quite low of 8 per cent in the last phase of elections. 300 polling booths in the twin districts recorded zero turnout. Last month Malik had issued an order of withdrawing security to over 900 protected people including many political leaders. Off late the decision triggered a massive outrage among the affected people and all political parties urged Malik to reconsider his decision.

Malik, however, refused to link the recent killing of a political leader with the security withdrawal. On the other side the political parties including National Conference, PDP and Congress blamed the security withdrawal for the recent political killings. Malik may be right in his opinion but his decision of withdrawing a security cover from the protected persons was absolutely a decision in haste. The situation in Kashmir is not so favorable and conducive. This is evident from the facts that after one year the Assembly elections are yet to be conducted. There is a rise in militant activities and encounters and gun fights continue to happen especially in South Kashmir.

In fact the security and intelligence agencies are demanding to extend the date for holding of elections to fall or by next year. Malik even also put the ball in the court of Election Commission of India and said that it is for the ECI to decide when and how it will conduct the Assembly elections in state.

 Amid such situations it is a responsibility of Malik led State Administrative Council to ensure the safety of all political and social workers. If the killings continue to happen, it will have serious consequences for the upcoming Assembly elections which may result into poor voting turnout.  The voting trend in south Kashmir has already set the ball rolling for SAC. While the New Delhi in Kashmir is already facing a challenge on security and political front such killings would certainly deter its resolve of restoring the peace and democracy in region. Not only the governor must restore the security cover of people prone to threats amid the rising tide of militancy in valley, he must also ensure the safe and secure environs for the political activities in valley.

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