Jammu and Kashmir administration further withdraws security cover of 919 people, calls them 'undeserving'

After withdrawing the security cover of the separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has further withdrawn the security cover of 919 "undeserving persons".

The official statement by the Home Ministry said that this step resulted in freeing 2,768 police personnel and 389 vehicles. The list of persons whose security cover has been withdrawn by the administration includes 22 separatist leaders.

The ministry further added that the move is in line with the strict stand taken by the Central government on inappropriate usage of scarce police resources in Jammu and Kashmir. It was also observed by the Home Ministry that the lack of state police resources for public happens because they are serving for the special security of these any "undeserving persons."

READ: J&K Administration Withdraws Security Cover Of Separatist Leaders Including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

The statement by the ministry added:

"Thus the Jammu and Kashmir government has withdrawn security cover of 919 undeserving persons since the state has come under Governor's Rule on June 20, 2018, thereby freeing 2,768 police personnel and 389 vehicles," a home ministry official said.

Home Ministry had directed the state administration, currently headed by Governor Satya Pal Malik, that there must be a case-by-case in-depth review.

"Following these strict directions, the Jammu and Kashmir State Security Review Coordination Committee (SRCC) held regular meetings to examine all the cases to ensure strict compliance of norms. After the review, the state government has withdrawn 2,768 police personnel from 919 'undeserving persons' and also from those who were having security cover excess than their entitlement. A total of 389 vehicles were also withdrawn." As per the directions of the home ministry, the SRCC will continue to examine and review the requirement of security cover on a case-to-case basis, based on merit, so that scarce and expensive resources could be freed and engaged to do regular police work.

In the wake of the Pulwama terrorist attack in February in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred, the Jammu and Kashmir administration earlier withdrew the security cover of 18 separatists and 155 political leaders.

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