Political leaders lose security cover in JK

Srinagar, Feb 14: A report has claimed that security cover of nearly 400 activists of all major parties in Jammu and Kashmir has been removed following a review by the Government. The review was conducted in the light of waning militancy and receding security threats.

An official of the Government's Home Department has been reported by Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) as saying, "It was discovered during the review of security needs of political party workers that they were no longer under any threat and the deployment of policemen with them as security guards was serving no purpose."

The report by IANS suggests that the move was amade in order to have more policemen for the approaching panchayat elections.

The official, as reported by IANS, also said, "It's not the threat of militants that makes us have security arrangements in place for the elections but the very fact that such polls are keenly contested and there are chances of clashes."

Panchayat elections in the state are likely to be held in May 2011.

OneIndia News