JAMMU, Mar 16: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has sought a review of his security cover and requested a jammer and bullet-proof vehicle following the recent assassination attempt on National Conference president Farooq Abdullah.
In a communication to police authorities, Choudhary said a jammer vehicle was withdrawn from his motorcade nearly six months ago on the pretext of repairs and has not been restored so far.
Abdullah had a narrow escape when a gunman allegedly fired at him from point-blank range during a wedding function in Jammu on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Kamal Singh, 63, was overpowered and arrested on the spot.
The deputy chief minister has also expressed displeasure over what he termed a “non-serious” response to his earlier requests for enhanced security arrangements.
Speaking to reporters in Rajouri, Choudhary said security arrangements fall under the responsibility of police and security agencies and any decision regarding upgrading his cover should be taken on the basis of threat perception.
“If the authorities feel my security needs to be upgraded, they should do so, and if not, they may even withdraw whatever is there,” he said, adding that he was elected to serve the people rather than focus on personal security.
Terming the firing incident involving Abdullah as unfortunate, Choudhary said bullets do not differentiate between religion or status and can hit anyone.
In an official communication to the Senior Superintendent of Police (Security), Jammu, the officer on special duty to the deputy chief minister requested the inclusion of a bullet-resistant vehicle in Choudhary’s motorcade for his visit to the border constituency of Nowshera.
The letter stated that the request was made in view of the prevailing security scenario and the recent firing incident involving Abdullah, where the deputy chief minister was present in close proximity to the VVIP.
The deputy chief minister has also sought replacement of old vehicles in his convoy, saying the existing bullet-proof, pilot and scout vehicles are mechanically unreliable and have led to serious and near-fatal incidents in the past.
The communication added that despite repeated requests to review the security arrangements and replace the vehicles deployed in the motorcade, no effective corrective action had been taken.
It warned that given the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the nature of the deputy chief minister’s duties, which involve frequent visits to remote and sensitive areas, movement without reliable security cover could pose a significant risk. (Agencies)
