SRINAGAR, March 31 – The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed a strong condemnation of the decision to withdraw security cover from the National Conference (NC) headquarters in Srinagar. The move was deemed “incomprehensible” by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, particularly as it occurred weeks after an assassination attempt on his father, party president Farooq Abdullah.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Chief Minister’s sharp criticism followed a heated debate within the Assembly. He, along with Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, urged authorities to either officially declare Jammu and Kashmir as “risk-free” or ensure equitable security provisions for all citizens and institutions.
Speaking to reporters outside the legislative assembly, the Chief Minister expressed profound concern over the complete removal of guards from the ‘Nawai Subuh’ complex, the party’s central office in Srinagar. This facility is frequently visited by Farooq Abdullah, a veteran politician who has served as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir three times and also as a Union Minister.
Omar Abdullah underscored the alarming temporal proximity of this administrative decision to the recent threat against his father’s life. On March 11, Farooq Abdullah narrowly avoided being shot at close range during a wedding ceremony in Jammu. The Chief Minister stated emphatically that the security at the NC headquarters had not merely been reduced but entirely withdrawn.
“That in itself is surprising, because it has barely been weeks since the attack on Farooq Abdullah. At the time, everyone said it should not have happened, and it is a matter of concern,” Abdullah remarked, questioning the rationale behind rendering the headquarters vulnerable. He highlighted that Farooq Abdullah visits the office two to three times weekly, questioning the compulsion and justification for the security withdrawal.
Official statements from the Jammu and Kashmir Police regarding the security withdrawal from the ruling party’s headquarters were not immediately available. However, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary emphasized that security provisions should not be subject to arbitrary decisions or influenced by political affiliations or personal preferences.
Choudhary advocated for objective security assessments, taking into account the sacrifices made by leaders across various political parties in Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that any arbitrary withdrawal or reduction of security is inappropriate and that agencies must act impartially to reinforce democratic principles. He also noted that the issue had been raised by Members of the Legislative Assembly from across party lines, and it was expected to have come to the notice of the Lieutenant Governor for appropriate action.
Earlier, concluding a focused discussion on the security withdrawal, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather stated that the withdrawal of escort vehicles and security had been a recurring concern raised by members, requiring urgent attention. He conveyed a clear message from the House: if the administration was unwilling to provide security, then Jammu and Kashmir should be officially declared a risk-free region.
“But a pick-and-choose approach has no merit. We are not speaking against any institution or the Lieutenant Governor; we are speaking against the system,” Rather asserted. He specifically referenced the recent assassination attempt on Farooq Abdullah and questioned the message being conveyed to the public by withdrawing security from his office.
The Speaker acknowledged the unified stance of both the treasury and opposition benches on security concerns, declaring the withdrawal of security to the National Conference as “improper” and beyond justification by the police. The matter was initially brought to the Assembly’s attention by NC MLA Hasnain Masoodi, who described it as a “serious and grave” issue, especially given the recent attack on Farooq Abdullah. He was supported by party colleagues Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Salman Sagar, and Javid Hassan Baig, along with Congress legislator Nizam-ud-Din Bhat. BJP’s S S Slathia also backed the call for adequate security for leaders facing potential threats.
The Assembly had previously demonstrated complete unity on Saturday, with members from both sides of the House unanimously condemning the March 11 shooting attempt on Farooq Abdullah. During a two-hour discussion at that time, legislators had characterized the incident as a “glaring security lapse” and a “disgrace to humanity,” with many advocating for a high-level judicial inquiry to be led by a sitting High Court judge.
The Chenab Times News Desk