NL Correspondent
Jammu Tawi, Apr 17
The Security Review Coordination Committee (SRCC) not only assessed threat perceptions of the protectees, but took a call on who needed security to what level and provide it.
The police and the bureaucrats of Jammu and Kashmir are at loggerheads over a new order of the government that empowers babus to take a call on which VIP in the state gets security and which one doesn't. In every state, this power of threat assessment and recommendation belongs to the police.
The Security Review Coordination Committee (SRCC) not only assessed threat perceptions to protectees, but took a call on who needed security to what level and provide it.
But on April 9, the government issued an order under which the committee was divested of its decision-making powers and it was made an advisory committee.
The final decision will be taken by governor or chief minister of the state through chief secretary.
“After finalising its recommendations, the SRCC will consult the DGP JK (state police chief) and place his views if any along with the recommendations of SRCC before the Governor through CS for approval,” states the order.
The composition of the committee has been re-jigged as well in the order, which was issued under the directions of Chief Secretary of the state, BVR Subrahmanyam.
The senior officer of the state's Criminal Investigation Department who headed the committee has become a member. Other members now include Additional Director (Intelligence Bureau), IGP (Kashmir), IGP (Jammu) and ADGP (Security) remains as the Convenor of the Committee.
The change in the order will be crucial in situations like the recent withdrawal and restoration of security to several hundred political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir. Their security, withdrawn in the aftermath of the terror attack in Pulwama, was restored by the Governor after a huge uproar from the state's political establishment.
It was pointed out that the Chief Secretary had led the meeting where the decision to withdraw security was taken. While revoking the decision and restoring security on April 8, the Governor had told a leading news channel, “A chain of command (of security officials) will now review the security of political workers from time to time. In all circumstances, the decision should go through Governor”.
A senior bureaucrat in JK state administration told that the move was meant to cut down on wastage of police resources. “The role of SRCC has been redefined in tune with the procedure in other states,” he said.
The state administration's move has led to a power tussle between the bureaucrats and the police officers. “How can a babu assess or analyse threat perceptions?” a senior police officer said, contending that a police officer is trained to assess inputs provided by Research Analysis Wing or Intelligence Bureau.
Security withdrawal decision taken in my absence: Governor
Srinagar, Apr 17
Governor Satypal Malik on Wednesday said that decision to downgrade and withdraw the security of separatist leaders and some mainstream leaders and activists in February this year was taken in his “absence” even as he announced to order crime branch probe into illegal occupation of state land, both in Jammu and Kashmir, under Roshni Act. He also announced to give “90%” state land still vacant in the Jammu to army, police and other organizations.
“I'm ashamed to inform you that in Jammu and Kashmir, from one table to another, a file takes several months to move. I was in New Delhi recently, a day earlier security of certain persons had been withdrawn in my absence and the move was good because some persons were getting (security unnecessarily; some others who had links with (militants) were also enjoying security,” he said addressing gathering of people before presenting ‘Rajya Puraskars' to 330 Scouts and Guides at an Award Presentation Ceremony held in Jammu.
“Rajnath Singh Ji, the home minister, called me and said Satyapal Bhai that my friend and RSS leader in Rajouri Khuldeep Gupta's security has also been withdrawn. He was perhaps having only two personnel. (Rajnathji) asked me to restore the security and I responded that that since it is your and not our move, I will do it immediately,” he said, adding, “I asked Chief Secretary. I did not want to make it public but I making a reference here to tell you that J&K's Vinash (destruction) has been due to politicians and bureaucrats and it will set right when they are made accountable. I told Chief Secretary to restore security of Guptaji but I feel ashamed to inform you that it was restored only yesterday. This is state of affairs here.”
He said that huge chunks of land are vacant in Jammu division. “There are big politicians who have occupied state land illegally and one of them have constructed huge swimming pools on state land. There was a Roshni Act and by its misuse, huge land has been occupied and I am handing the case to crime branch with a direction that whosever has under the Roshni act illegally built houses should be seized and demolished,” he said, adding, “Despite it, I was told by divisional commissioner that 90% of the land is still vacant which I will give to army, police and organizations like you.”
