Srinagar: Asserting that he had warned against withdrawal of security of political leaders and activities in Kashmir valley, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said assassination of BJP leader in south Kashmir on Saturday only confirmed what he had feared.
Mr Abdullah, who is the National Conference (NC) Vice President, said not long ago senior BJP leaders were bragging about how undeserving people had had their security withdrawn in J&K.
“Not long ago senior BJP leaders were bragging about how undeserving people had had their security withdrawn in J&K. I’d warned against the decision then & yesterday’s assassination of Gul Mohd Mir only confirms what I’d feared – it was a foolish decision disconnected from reality,” Mr Abdullah wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
In an apparent referral to Governor Satya Pal Malik directing authorities to identify any lapses on the part of security agencies regarding ensuring security of politicians in Kashmir, Mr Abdullah said questions need to be asked but they can’t be answered by the person who was responsible for the actual order to withdraw security.
Mr Abdullah alleged that the security withdrawal had been opposed by state and central intelligence agencies. “So who overruled them and went ahead regardless,” he asked.
Mr Abdullah also posted a letter written by NC General Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar to Election Commission of India (ECI) on April 2, raising the issue of withdrawal of security to about 700 political leaders and workers in the state. “ICYMI this is the letter sent by @JKNC_ General Secretary Ali Mohd Sagar Sb to @ECISVEEP flagging this very issue of security withdrawal & the risks it posed for the ongoing election process,” he twitted alongwith the letter.
BJP leader Gul Muhammad Mir was fired upon by gunmen at Nowgam Verinag in Anantnag last night. He was rushed to hospital where he was declared brought dead.