Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): The security wing of Jammu and Kashmir police has asked the BJP leaders under threat from terrorists in the Valley not to travel unnecessarily and if any important tour or visit is required, the concerned police station should be informed for additional allotment of security cover.
After the deadly attack on young BJP leader Waseem Bari in north Kashmir’s Bandipora, scores of leaders, including those who are protected already, had sought an increase in their security cover, in the wake of fresh security threats. J&K BJP spokesperson Altaf Thakur has also sought an enhanced security cover.
However, in response, SSP security advised him to refrain from taking unnecessary visits and not to venture out unnecessarily. The communique sent to Thakur reads that 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.
Talking to NVI, Thakur said that he received fresh threats after one of the BJP leaders (Waseem Bari) was killed along with his father and brother at Bandipora district 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 police officer said that the advisory was not for Thakur only but all the political leaders and workers who are protected persons, in the wake of fresh threats issued to them by terrorists after the attack on a Bari.
“We have urged BJP 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 wing of Kashmir about political events or other important visits can “jeopardize the security of a particular leader of the BJP.”
A middle-rung BJP leader said that he has also received a dozen phone calls from unknown numbers where-in he has been warned of dire consequences. “I have apprised about the same to the party leadership and also the police,” he said.
-ARK
