In a major step taken in the aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack, the Centre on Sunday withdrew the security cover of five top separatists. The decision comes two days after Home Minister Rajnath Singh slammed “those who take money from Pakistan to create unrest in Kashmir”.
The J-K administration said on Sunday that the security cover of separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Lone, Hashim Qureshi and Shabir Shah will be withdrawn by evening on 17 February.
The Mirwaiz is the chief of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC).
There is no clarity on whether the security cover given to pro-Pakistan separatist Syed Ali Shah Geelani will be revoked too.
According to the order, no security forces or cover will be provided, under any pretext, to the five separatists or any other separatists. Other facilities provided by the government will also be withdrawn.
A review will be done by the Police to ascertain whether the security and facilities of any other separatists need to be withdrawn immediately.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, during his visit to Srinagar on Friday, had said security given to people getting funds from Pakistan and its snooping agency ISI should be reviewed.
Without naming the Valley based Hurriyat leaders and those indulging in anti-India activities, the Home Minister said there are some elements who are hand-in-glove with terror organisations and ISI in Pakistan.
“They are involved in terror conspiracies and as such are playing with the future of the people and especially the youth of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
“The security cover provided to such elements will be reviewed,” he announced.
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Over 44 CRPF personnel were killed and many injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror strikes in Jammu-Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden vehicle near their bus in Pulwama district.
The bus was part of a convoy of 78 vehicles carrying around 2500 CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar.