“Never asked for security”,says Huriyat after Security cover of five Kashmiri separatist leaders withdrawn by Govt

The Jammu and Kashmir administration Sunday withdrew security cover provided to five separatist leaders  including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. “No security cover will be provided under any pretext to these five leaders and other separatists,” a security official said. The other four are Shabir Shah, Hashim Qureshi, Bilal Lone and Abdul Ghani Bhat.

According to the order, all security and vehicles provided to the separatists will stand withdrawn by Sunday evening. No security forces or cover will be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists. If they have any other facilities provided by the government, they are to be withdrawn forthwith.

Their security should be reviewed,” Indian Home minister Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said after reviewing security in the aftermath of dastardly terror attack in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

Reacting on the security withdrawal, a statement from Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, said the separatists “never asked for security,” and called it a “non-issue.” “In fact, it was the government that insisted on keeping the personnel based on what they said was their assessment of threat perception. With or without these police personnel at Hurriyat residence all remains the same.” “It has no bearing nor can it in any way change the reality of the lingering Kashmir dispute or the situation on the ground or our principled stand and outlook regarding its resolution,” the statement added.