Srinagar, May 08 (KNO): Governor Satya Pal Malik Wednesday ordered a high level inquiry into the killing of political activists since 2018 in Jammu and Kashmir and directed the Additional Director General of Police Law and Order Security, Munir Khan to submit the report within 15 days.
According to KNO, Governor Malik undertook a detailed review of the security management related issues in a high level meeting at the Raj Bhawan here today and was given a sector-wise assessment of the prevailing security situation in the State. The meeting took place on a day when two PDP activists both pharmacists were shot at in South Kashmir with one of them in a critical condition.
The meeting was attended by K Vijay Kumar, Advisor to Governor; B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; DGP Dilbag Singh, Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governor; Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary, Home Department; ADGP Security Muneer Ahmed Khan, and IGP Kashmir SP Pani.
Expressing concern over the killings of political functionaries belonging to various political parties in the State in last few months, Governor stressed the need for ensuring safety of protected persons and advised security agencies to give due consideration to the genuine apprehensions of political activists working at the grass root level.
“The Governor reiterated the need to constantly maintain a close watch on the ground situation and underlined the importance of sustained efforts to bring peace and harmony in the society for the overall benefit of people,” official sources told KNO.
On the directions of the Governor, the Home Department has ordered that Muneer Ahmad Khan, ADGP, Security/L&O shall conduct an enquiry into all such attacks that have taken place since October, 2018.
“This is with a view to ensuring that all possible measures, general as well as specific, are taken for security of political workers to enable them to continue their political activities, particularly in view of the militant attacks on political workers in recent past,” the Governor told the meeting, according to sources. The ADGP shall submit his report, covering all the relevant aspects, along with appropriate recommendations within 15 days.
Keeping in view the threats issued by militant organisations during the elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Panchayats and the heightened risk faced by elected Sarpanches, Municipal Councillors and Mayors/ Presidents, it was decided that in case any of them require safe accommodation, they will be provided a secure room for their stay either at the State or District level. This will come into effect immediately and the Divisional Commissioners and IGs will operationalise this after contacting the Sarpanches and ULB members.
Further, the Governor stated that leaders of different political parties and other organizations may raise their security concerns with the Security Hqrs of J&K Police and the due diligence of threat perception will be carried out by the Intelligence agencies before arriving at a decision on the provision of personal Security to persons with a perceived threat.
Governor also said that he would be inviting the leaders of different political parties to discuss their security concerns and how to address them so as to create a secure political and governance environment for one and all.(KNO)