Government downgrades and withdraws the security of all 18 Hurriyat leaders and 155 other political persons

 In a major step on Wednesday, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir downgraded and withdrew the security of 18 Hurriyat leaders in the state.

According to the spokesperson of Home Department, it was felt that providing security to these separatist leaders is a wastage of scarce state resources which could be better utilised elsewhere. 

Among the leaders whose security has been downgraded and withdrawn are SAS Geelani, Aga Syed Mosvi, Maulvi Abbas Ansari,  Yasin Malik, Saleem Geelani, Shahid ul Islam, Zaffar Akbar Bhat, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, Farooq Ahmed Kichloo, Masroor Abbas Ansari, Aga Syed Abul Hussain, Abdul Gani Shah and Mohd Musadiq Bhat. 

This is, in addition, the five persons whose security was withdrawn on Sunday.

In addition, the security of 155 political persons and activists, who did not require the security provided to them based on their threat assessment and their activities, was also withdrawn. This includes Shah Faesal, who resigned from the IAS and Wahid Parray. 

Through this, over 1000 police personnel and over 100 vehicles are freed to do regular police work.

WATCH: "Security For Those Elements Who Take Money From Pakistan And ISI Should Be Removed", Warns Home Minister Rajnath Singh Following Pulwama Terror Attack

Days after 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans were martyred and many others injured in an IED blast by Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammed , the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday withdrew security cover provided to five separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Acting tough against the separatists, Government has issued notification for the same.

“All security and any vehicles provided to them will stand withdrawn by today evening. No security forces or cover should be provided, under any pretext, to them or any other separatists,” the official statement reads.

The direction for this move came in after Home Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Srinagar after he held a meeting with the state administration, who said that action should be taken against those who get financial support from across the border. 

Singh on Saturday said, "There are some elements here who take money from Pakistan and ISI. I have told the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir very clearly that those who take money from Pakistan and have links with ISI, their security must be reviewed."

READ | MASSIVE: J&K Government Withdraws Security Cover Of Five Separatist Leaders. Read The Official Order Here

(With agency inputs)