Issuing such advisories is a routine matter, Says police officials
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir police’s security wing has issued a security advisory to the political leaders ’who come under their list’ to refrain from unnecessary travel and inform the police in advance in case there is an emergency visit or tour.
According to news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS) the advisory comes after the deadly attack on the BJP’s young face in north Kashmir’s Bandipora on July 8.
Sources said that scores of leaders, including those who are protected already had sought an increase in their security cover in the wake of fresh security threats.
“One of the BJP leader’s had sought an increase in the security cover,” sources maintained.
However, in response, the leader has been advised to refrain from taking unnecessary visits and not to venture out unnecessarily,” sources maintained.
The communique sent to the BJP leader who is active in the party affairs here in Srinagar reads, “In case there is a need for urgent political trip or tour, the security wing of the police and the concerned police station should be informed in advance for additional deployment of forces for security cover”.
it is advised to follow the advisor/ SOP/ Guidelines issued from time to time which is in the best interest of your personnel security and safety,” it reads
The BJP leader said that he had received threats after Bandipora BJP leader was killed along with his father and brother on July 8. “At times, I receive threatening calls and most of the time messages on social media from unknown numbers. Some numbers are from across the LoC,” he said.
A senior police officer told KINS that the advisory was not for any particular leader but all the political leaders and workers, who are protected persons, in the wake of fresh threats issued to them by the militants after an attack on a young BJP leader in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
“We have urged BJP and other political leaders to avoid unnecessary travel so that they remain safe. We have also asked them to inform us in advance in case they really need to go out for party related activities so that additional security will be provided to them,” the officer said, adding that not informing the security agencies about political events or other important visits can “jeopardize the security of a particular leader.”
One of the top officials in the police told KINS that issuing advisories to the protected political leaders is a routine matter. “It is not that we have issued an advisory for the first time. Whenever there is a threat perception we issue advisory so that protected leaders can take extra precautions,” said the official wished not to be named.
BJP General Secretary (organization) Ashok Koul recently told KINS that the concerns of all the party leaders regarding security and other things had been taken up with the party high command and also with the Jammu and Kashmir police. He stated that all the concerns would be addressed soon. (KINS)
