JAMMU, April 1: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Wednesday voiced strong reservations regarding the withdrawal and selective allocation of security personnel to Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). He stated that such practices create confusion about the prevailing ground situation and are detrimental to democratic principles.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Choudhary, responding to queries about the security adjustments for MLAs, urged for clarity from the Director General of Police. “Ask the DG sir this. On one hand, you are withdrawing the security of ministers, and on the other, you are curtailing the security of vulnerable MLAs. Even my own security has been reduced. So please ask the DG sir,” he told reporters outside the assembly.
Security Concerns Amidst Ongoing Encounters
Choudhary challenged assertions of normalcy in the region by pointing to the continuation of militant encounters. “If the situation is normal, then why are these encounters happening? If there is no militancy, then what are these encounters about? If encounters are taking place, what about the safety issue?” he questioned. He further cited a recent incident involving former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah to illustrate that developments on the ground did not align with claims of complete normalcy.
The Deputy Chief Minister alleged that providing security to selected representatives on a “pick and choose” basis constituted a “mockery of democracy.” However, Choudhary expressed confidence that Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha would personally address the issue. “Since the lieutenant governor is in charge of the police, I believe the concerns raised in the House will be addressed by him personally. He will intervene and ensure fair allocation of security based on threat perception — those who genuinely need security will get it accordingly,” he remarked.
Call for Statehood Restoration Tied to Normalcy Claims
Emphasising that the current security arrangements were unsustainable, Choudhary insisted on a security framework strictly based on threat assessment. Addressing the broader security landscape in Jammu and Kashmir, he stated that the Union Territory continues to face security challenges. He asserted that if the situation is genuinely normal, then the restoration of statehood should be a subsequent step.
“This cannot continue. Jammu and Kashmir faces security challenges. If everything is truly normal here, then statehood should be restored,” he said, as reported by news agencies.
The Chenab Times News Desk